pretend to the Regency if the Queen were Excluded or oblig'd to have a Partner and both the Queen and the Duke of Orleans were equally hateful to him But Cardinal Mazarin would not be so put off For in regard he sooth'd the Queen with every thing that could flatter her Hopes he lost no time either in solliciting the King or causing him to be importun'd in Favour of that Princess And the better to bring about his Design and that at the same time he might have the greatest part himself in the Management of Affairs he took a Resolution to propound Conditions so little to the Queens Advantage that Lewis XIII who saw himself just dropping into his Grave thankt him for having disingag'd him out of that Irresolution wherein he had hesitated so long For in short altho' he consented at last that the Queen should be declar'd Regent yet the Power which he gave her was extreamly limited that Princess not being able to undertake any thing of her self without first imparting the Business to the Counsel of which the Cardinal was to be the Chief and where things were to be carrid by Plurality of Voices But how disadvantageous soever these Conditions were to the Queen the King however thought he had done enough and the Queen and the Cardinal who had their Prospects and their Ends were highly satisfid that Things were brought to that point Nevertheless in regard the Business was not concluded and for that the Kings mind might alter the Cardinal left nothing omitted to keep the King steady in the Resolution he had taken while the Queen on her side labour'd to win to her Party all the considerable Persons in the Court of which number was the Duke of Enguien and it was a long time before she thought of him But the Duke de la Roche Foucaut who had always an Antipathy against Cardinal Richlieu and sought all Opportunities to be serviceable to the Queen having one day put it into her Head that it would be of great Advantage to her to gain this Young Prince she took it for good Advice And the Duke of Enguien who was glad of an opportunity to oppose the Authority of the Duke of Orleans who aspir'd to the Regency willingly accepted the Queens offer The Queen promis'd to prefer him before the Duke of Orleans not only by the Mark of her Esteem and Confidence but also in all Employments from whence it lay in her Power to Exclude the Duke of Orleans by such ways as they two should agree upon together and which mighâ— not provoke that Prince to a Rupture with herâ— On the other side the Duke of Enguien promis'd to be inseparably devoted to the Queens Interest and to be beholding to her alone for all the Favours which he desir'd at Court And now the Queen thought her self strong enough when she saw her self assur'd of the support of this Young Prince and therefore relying on the other side upon the Cardinal she waited for the Kings Death with a great deal of Confidence About that time the Duke of Enguien departed to Command the Army in Flanders and lay the Foundations of those great Things which he performed with so much Honour Lewis the XIII also dy'd within a short time after that is to say the 14 th of May in 1643. the very same day that he began his Reign After the Death of this Monarch there happen'd one thing which perhaps never happen'd before in France where there is a greater regard had to the Kings Pleasure then in any other Monarchy that the Parliament of Paris which according to the Institution of it is the Trustee and Guardian of all the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom and which derives its Jurisdiction only from the King cancell'd the Declaration of Lewis XIII by which as has been already said he order'd a Councel for the Regency to the end the Queen whom he thought incapable to manage the Government might be under a kind of Tutelage For the Queen Four days after the King's Death went to the Parliament and there did what she pleas'd her self in a manner so Advantageous to her self that â—here could nothing more be done the whole Asâ—embly testifying that they desir'd nothing with so â—uch fervency as that her Authority should be â—bsolute In short the Queen was confirm'd Reâ—ent by a Declaration of Parliament bearing date â—he 18 th of May. This Digression was absolutely necessary as you â—ill find by what ensues Now therefore to return â—o the Duke of Enguien while these things were â—hus transacted in France and that they were preâ—aring to carry the King's Body to St. Denis the â—paniards besieg'd Rocroy and so vigorously press'd â—he City that it was greatly to be fear'd it would â—all into the Enemies hands unless it were speedily â—uccour'd But the Duke of Enguien who was alâ—eady set forward to Command the Army in Flanâ—ers resolv'd to relieve the Place and no less â—riskly to attack the Enemy who seem'd as willing â—o come to a Battel and he perform'd what he â—ndertook as he had laid his Design This Prince was then not above Two and Twenty Years of Age and one of his Panegyrists has said and that not without doing him Justice that he had form'd â— Design which was above the reach of the Old Experienc'd Hoary-headed Captains but which Victory however justifi'd The Enemies Army â—as much more numerous then that which he Comâ—anded It was compos'd of those Old Bands of Walloons Italians and Spaniards which never had â—een broken before but all that could not make â—he Young Duke desist from his Enterprize Don â—rancisco de Melos stay'd his coming with a firm Resolution to engage him He was a Captain formidable for his Consummate Experience and for â— great many Victories which he had won and beâ—ides all that he lay entrench'd among Woods and â—oggs All the Forces of the Kingdom were â—ow to be ventur'd in one single Combat Upon that day depended the good or bad Fortune of the Regency For in short had the Duke lost that Battel it would have been impossible for France to have stopp'd a Torrent which would certainly have delug'dall Champaigne Picardy and the Neighbourhood of Paris The Consideration of so many Dangers would have terrify'd any other Person but the Duke of Enguien However never did any General appear more Sedate or more Undaunted He lay the Night preceding that famous Battel as if he had not thought of any such thing as fighting and slept so soundly that they were forc'd to wake him the next Morning This Prince who by that Battel open'd the way for so many others upon that Occasion acted not only like a Man of his Birth but like a Common Officer He was in all places where danger appear'd He receiv'd several Shot in his Cloaths and in his Boots he had a Horse wounded under him with Two Musket Bullets and he underwent all the Hazards and Fatigues of Combat
Army or make an Honourable â—etreat he advanc'd without losing time to the Body which Grammont commanded and calling the principal Officers of the Army together to consult what course to take it was resolv'd that they would fight the Enemy and whatever hazard they ran not to quit their Resolution This being concluded the Prince told 'em with a sedate Coâ—ntenance That there was no way but either to Vanquish or Dye and then began to encourage his men Never General shew'd so great a Resolution as did the Prince at that time yet through the midst of this Heroick Resolution and Undaunted Bravery you might discern a Sedateness of Mind and a Contempt of Danger which is the Character of a Hero He never appear'd less concern'd tho perhaps he had never been more provok'd He gave out all his Orders and had so well rang'd his men for the Combat that he openly declar'd He would get the day were he but never so little seconded This Great Prince who never appear'd so great as when the Greatest Dangers threaten'd him took upon himself the Command of the Right Wingâ— The First Line of which Wing consisting of Nine Squadrons was commanded by Villequier Lieutenant-General The Second compos'd of Eight by Normoutier and Beaujeu had Orders to lead on the Cavalry The Left Wing was led by Grammont â— and the First Line of that Wing consisting of Nine Squadrons was commanded by Seneterre Lieutenant-General the Second compos'd only of Seven was led on by du Plessis Belliere and St. Maigrin perform'd the Duty of Camp Marshal to the First of these Lines As for the Main Battel which consisted of Ten Battalions it was commanded by Chatillon and Five Squadrons which made the Body of the Reserve were under Herlack's Orders and Cossâ— had the Charge of the Artillery All things being thus dispos'd the Prince rode through all the Lines encouraging the Soldiers to Fight he put 'em in mind of their Victories at Rocrâ—y and Norlinguen He told 'em He would be the first that would engage in the greatest Dangers and that they needed no more then follow his Example And after he had laid before 'em the Honour which the French Nation would acquire if they won the day he prepar'd to give the Signal of Battel but a certain Movement of the Spaniards stopt him For he perceiv'd that the Spanish Cavalry open'd instead of Advancing and believing there was some Mystery in it he kept his Ground that he might discover the meaning of that Movement of which he was soon inform'd by his sight for he saw the void spaces between the Horse fill'd up with Footâ— which made him easily conjecture that it was the Main Battel which he understood the Duke had design'd to Command believing the Victory sure The Design of the Spanish Army was no sooner known but the Prince took his Measures accordingly He ordered Cosse to march with the Cannon and play upon the Enemy and at the same time that the Artillery play'd the Squadrons and Battalions advanc'd with such an undaunted Courage as astonish'd the Enemy The Count de la Sala who was at the Head of the First Line of the Spanish Left Wing advanc'd with a singular Bravery and gave the Enemy a dreadful Volley of Pistol Shot The French never fir'd at all but so soon as de la Sala had made his last discharge they fell on with their Swords upon the Squadron which was before 'em with so much Resolution being seconded by some other Troops of the same Wingâ— that they quite disorder'd the first Line of the Enemies Army Which the Arch-Duke beholding order'd the second Line to advance and then both Lines being join'd the Combat began to be very bloody But the Spanish Troops being superior to the Prince's Villequier and Moussay were beaten and taken Prisoners But then Noirmoutier advancing in the nick of time drave the two Spanish Lines beâ—ore him with such an undaunted Force that he soon depriv'd 'em of the Honour which they had like to have got and which seem'd to portend 'em the Victory On the other side the Prince who was every where having rally'd the Troops that gave way sent 'em again to fight afresh And those Troops tho half terrify'd flew upon the Enemies Lines with so much Fury and Courage that the Spanish Cavalry began to totter But being vigorously seconded by their Reserve the two Lines that were almost broken took Courage and reâ—urn'd once more to the Charge At what time Herlack appear'd at the Head of the Dutch Squadrons and fell upon the Lorainers with such an impetuous Violence that not being able to withstand the shock they betook themselves to their Heels and carry'd all the rest along with them Grammont who commanded the Left Wing of the French and Bucquoy who led the Right Wing of â—he Spaniards had not yet struck a Blow But then they began to engage and fought with equal advantage for some time but at length Fortune declar'd in favour of Grammont At the same time Beck and Chatillon led the two Main Bodies of the Foot and tho the Victory was a great while very dubious yet the Prince relying upon the Measures he had taken and the Stoutness of his Men made no question of winning the Battel However in regard Beck's Regiments were supported by a strong Body of Horse they made the French give ground But the Gendarmerie no less active at the end then at the beginning seconded the Foot so well that they rally'd again resum'd fresh Courage and then both sides fought with more obstinacy then before for three hours together at what time the Prince obtain'd the Victory The Spanish Army was so numerous and had so advantageoâ—sly posted themselves that the French were somewhat out of heart at the beginning of the Battel but being encourag'd by the Presence of their General there was no Obstacle no Hardship which they did not surmount no Danger which they did not willingly meet to purchase the Honour of the Dâ—yâ— The Prince himself outbrav'd the Enemies fiâ—inâ— like the meanest Soldier and expos'd himself so frequently thâ—t he was at length hit with a Musquet â—â—â—let upon the Reines but the Bullet meeting with the resistance of his Buffâ—coat he was discharg'd 〈…〉 small Contusion only Of the French Army not â—boâ—e siâ— hundred were slain and twelve hundred tâ—ken Prisoners and wounded whereas the Spaâ—iâ—rdâ— besides the loss of their Cannon and Baggage had above eight thousand kill'd and above fifteen hundâ—ed taken Prisoners among whom was General Beck the Prince of Ligny and the Count of St. Amour General of the Artillery The Duke of Chatillon who had signaliz'd himself in the Battel was made choice of by the Prince to carry the Tidings of so great a Victory to Court where so considerable a Success was look'd upon as a Testimony of Celestial Favour for which all the People shew'd a more then ordinary Joy And for which Te Dâ—â—m was sung in
open in several parts unprovided and without probability of Succours from any but the Duke of Lorrain with whom the Court thought a Treaty had been made Moreover it is my Opinion that the Event of the Siege was not so much consider'd as the Reputation so great an Undertaking would afford the King's Arms For tho' at the same time the Negotiation was continud with great earnestness and that the Prince was then very desirous of a Peace yet it could not reasonably be expected until the Success of Estampes had regulated the Propositions thereof During these Transactions the Court-Party made use of that Conjuncture to gain the People and to form Cabals in the Parliament and tho' at that time the Duke of Orleance seem'd closely united with the Prince he notwithstanding daily had particular Conferences with the Cardinal of Rets who made it his chief business to destroy whatever Resolutions the Prince put him upon The Siege of Estampes continu'd still and tho' the Progresses of the King's Army were inconsiderable yet nevertheless the Reports that were spread up and down the Realm were advantageous to the King And Paris look'd for the Succours that was expected from the Duke of Lorrain as the only thing that could saâ—e the Party It arriv'd at last after many delays and no small Suspicions of an Accommodation between the King and him however his Presence dissipated that Opinion for a while and he was receiv'd with extream Joy his Forces were Encamp'd near Paris and the Disorders they committed were suffered without complaining At first there happen'd some Disputes between the Prince and him about their Rank but he finding that the Prince would not desist relinquish'd his Pretentions so much the rather because he had only insisted upon it in order to gain time to make a secret Treaty with the Court to raise the Siege of Estampes without hazarding a Combat Nevertheless as People are never so easily surpris'd as when they are projecting to deceive others it happâ—n'd that the Duke of Lorrain who expected to derive great advantages from and to secure himself by his continual Negotiations with the Court tho' very unjust was on a sudden â—â—rpris'd by the Marshal of Turenne who marched up to him with all his Army and required him forthwith to reâ—ire and march back for Flanders The Duke of Lorrain's Forces were not inferiour to the King 's and a Man who had only valued his Reputaâ—ion might easily have hazarded a Combat But whatever Reasons the Duke of Lorrain had for it he retired with Shame and submitted to what the Marshal of Turenne was pleas'd to impose upon himâ— he neither acquainted the Duke of Orleance nor the Prince with what pass'd and the first thing they heard was that their Forces wâ—re marched out of Estampes that the King's Army was remov'd from thence and that the Duke of Lorrain was marching back for Flanders pretending to have fully perform'd the Orders he had receiv'd from the Spaniards and his Promise to Monsieur This nâ—ws surpris'd every body and made the Prince resolve to go to his Army fearing the King's might fall upon it in the way He went out of Paris accompany'd only by 12 or 15 Horse whereby he expos'd himself to be taken by the Enemies Parties however he joyn'd his Army and led it towards Ville Iuive Afterwards he marched to St. Cloud where he made some stay during which the Haâ—vest was not only quite spoil'd but almost all the Country Houses were burnt This began to disgust the Parisians and the Prince had like to have received fatal Marks at the Battel of St. Anthony During these Transactions Gaucourt had secret Conferences with the Cardinal who sâ—ill express'd to him an earnest desire for a Peace he had already agreed upon the main Conditions but the more he insisted on the least the more it was apparent that he had no design to conclude Those Uncertainties gave new Vigour to all the Cabals and consequently to the divers Reports that were dispersed abroad Paris never was in greater Agitation and never was the Prince's mind more divided to resolve upon Peace or War The Spaniards endeavour'd to remove him from Paris to hinder a a Peace and the Dutchess of Longueville's Friends contributed to that Disign in order to remove him from the Dutchess of Chastillon Moreover Mademoiselle at once design'd the same things with the Spaniards and with the Dutchess of Longueville for on the one hand she desir'd the Continuation of the War to be reveng'd on the Queen and Cardinal who had hindred her Marriage with the King and on the other she was desirous to get the Prince from the Dutchess of Chastillon and to have a greater share in his Confidence and Esteem than that Duâ—chess And therefore in order to gain him by that which was most sensible to him she rais'd Forces in his Name and promis'd him Money to raise more 〈◊〉 Promises being joyn'd to those the Spaniâ—â—â—â— maâ—e and to the Aâ—tifices that were us'd by â—he Duâ—chess of Longueville's Friends remov'd from 〈◊〉 Prince all the thoughts he had of a Peace Thaâ— which in my Opinion likewise contributed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 rably to it was not only the small Confiâ—â—ncâ— he thought he could repose in the Court but â—â—â—â—ng which will hardly be credited from a Person of his Quality and Merit it was a violent desire of imitating the Duke of Lorrain in many things and particularly in his behaviour towards his Soldiers and Officers and he perswaded himself that since the Duke of Lorrain being dispossess'd of his Dominions his Circumstances not being near so advantageous as his had notwithstanding rendeâ—'d himself so considerable by his Army â—nd by his Money his own Qualifications being inâ—â—niâ—ely superiour to his his Progresses would proâ—e suitable thereunto and that in the mean time he sâ—ould lead a Life altogether conformable to his own Humour This has been look'd upon as the true Motive that engag'd the Prince among the Spaniards and for which he renounc'd whatever his Birth and Serâ—ices had acquir'd him in the Kingdom However he conceal'd his Sentiments as much as possible he could and still express'd the same desire for a Peace the which was still in vain in Agitation The Court at that time was at St. Denis and the Marshal de la Ferté had joyn'd the King's Army with the Forces he had brought from Lorrain The Prince's Army which was weaker than the least of the two that were oppos'd to him had till then kept its Post at St. Cloud in order to make use of the Bridge to avoid an unequal Combat but the arrival of Marshal de la Ferté enabled the King's Army to divide into two Bodies and to attack St. Cloud on both sides by making Bridges towards St. Denis the Prince resolv'd to remove from St. Cloud in order to march to Charenton and to Post himself in that nook of Land which makes the Conjunction between the River Marne and
main Causes of its Ruine by an Act of Violence which was like to have destroyed all those that chanc'd to be in â—he Town-House or Hostel de Ville and made the Prince lose all the advantages he had gain'd by the Battle of St. Anthony I cannot tell who was the Author of so pernicious a Design all having equally disown'd it but in fine while the Assembly was held a Croud of all manner of Men in Arms appeaâ—'d at the Town-House Gates crying That they should not only do all things according to the Prince's Mind but moreover that they should instantly deliver all those that were Cardinal Mazarin's Friends At first this Noise was only look'd upon as an ordinary effect of the Common People's Impatience but seeing that the Croud and Tumult increas'd and that not only the Souldiers but even the Officers were concern'd in the Riot the Gates being set on fire and the Windows shot at all the Members of the Assembly thought themselves equally undone Many of them to avoid the Fire expos'd themselves to the Fury of the People and abundance of Persons of all Qualities and of all Parties were kill'd It was generally believ'd that the Prince had sacrific'd his Friends in order not to be suspected of having destroy'd his Enemies The Duke of Orleance was not in the least suspected of having any share in that Business the Odium and Hatred thereof being wholly cast upon the Prince of Conde As for my part I am of Opinion that both of them had employ'd the Duke of Beaufort in it to frighten such Members of that Assembly as were not on their side tho' at the same time I am perswaded that neither of them had the least Intention of hurting any body However they soon appeas'd the Disorder but they could not race out the Impression it had made in the Peoples Mind Afterwards it was propos'd to create a Council compos'd of the Duke of Orleance of the Prince of Conde the Chancellor of France the Princes Dukes and Peers Marshals of France and General Officers of the Party Two Presidents a Mortier were to assist at it from the Parliament the Lord Mayor or Provost des Merchands from the City to Judge definitively and without Appeal of all Military Causes and whatever related to the Government of the City This Council augmented the Disorder instead of diminishing it about the Pretentions of the Rank that was to be held in it the sequel of which as well as of the Assembly prov'd very Fatal for the Dukes of Nemours and of Beaufort being already at oâ—ds about past differences or about some Ladies quarrel'd about Precedency in the Council and 〈◊〉 with Pistols the Duke of Nemours was kill'd by the Duke of Beaufort his Brother-in-law All those who knew that Prince were mov'd with Grief and Compassion at his Death even the Publick had cause to lament him for besides his great and lovely Qualifications he contributed as much as in him lay to promote a Peace and both he and the Duke de la Rochefoucault hâ—d relinquish'd the Advantages the Prince was oblig'd to procure them by the Treaty in order to facilitate the Conclusion thereof But the Death of the one and the Wound of the other afforded the Spaâ—iards and Madame de Longueville's Friends all the Liberty they could desire to draw the Prince away They now suppos'd it would be easie â—o perswade the Prince to go into Flanders they dazled him with hopes and Madame de Chatillon seem'd to appear less Charming to him because he no longer found an Illustrious Rival to Combat in her Heart However he did not at first reject the Propositions of a Peace but taking his measures to continue the War he offer'd the Duke of Nemours's Employment to the Duke de la Rochefoucault who coâ—ld not accept it by reason of his Wound for which Reason he gave it afterwards to the Prince of Tarente Paris was more divided at that time than ever it had been The Court daily gain'd Ground in the Parliament and among the People the Murder committed at the Town-House having struck every body with Horror The Army durst not keep the Field and their abode in Paris exasperated the People the more against the Prince In â—ine his Affairs were reduc'd to the greatest Extremity when the Spaniards who were equally desirous of preventing his Ruin and his Elevation in order to perpetuate the War caus'd the Duke of Lorrain to March to Paris for the second time with a sufficient Body to stop the King's Army Nay moreover he kept it invested at Villeneuve St. George and sent word to Paris that the Enemies would be constrain'd to come to a Battle or to starve in their Camp This hope flatter'd the Prince and he imagin'd he should draw great Advantages from the Event of that Action although in reality the Marshal of Turenne never wanted Provisions nor the Liberty of retiring to Melun withouâ— hazarding a Combat He did it accordingly without meeting any Opposition whilst the Duke of Lorrain was gone to Paris where the Prince lay sick of a Fever Palluau's Forces at that time joyn'd the King's Army after having taken Montrond The Marquess of Persan had been block'd up in it from the beginning of the War by Count Palluau with an inconsiderable Army But when the Garrison was weaken'd by Hunger and Diseases he attack'd it by Force and took it with less Resistance than could be expected from such brave Men in one of the strongest Places in the World had nothing been wanting in it The loss thereof prov'd so much the more sensible to the Prince by reason that it was occasion'd by his Neglect since he might easily have succour'd Montrond whilst the King's Army was towards Compiegne whereas his Forces in ruining the Country round about Paris increas'd the Inhabitants Hatred against him The Prince was neither happier nor better serv'd in Guienne where the Division between the Prince of Conty and the Dutchess of Longueville serv'd for a Pretence to those who had a mind to quit his Party Several Cities following the Example of Agâ—â— had open'd their Gates to the King's Forces and the Inhabitants of Perigueux had stabb'd their Governoâ—r and driven out the Garrison Villeneuve â— ' Agenois in which the Marquess of Terbon had thâ—own himself was the only place that resolv'd to defend it self and it was done with so much Vigour 〈◊〉 Count d' Harcourt was forc'd to raise the Siege He did not tarry long in Guienne after that small Disgrace and whether he was really diffident of the Court or that he thought that making himself Master of Brisac Philipsburg and Alsatia he should lay the Foundation of a certain and independent Establishment he went away from his Army like a Man who dreaded his being made a Prisoner in it and repair'd to Philipsburg with all the speed imaginable During these Transactions the Prince of Conde's Ilness increas'd yet tho' it was very violent it
French from advancing as easily as they could have wish'd and that which proved worse than that yet was a Ravine or great Flood of Water which did cut the Line of Circumvallation Monsieur de Turenne endeavouring to cross it in that place was forced to expose himself to the Spanish Shot and to engage with the Prince of Conde who fought after his wonted manner that is with a Courage that cannot be express'dâ— Marshal de Turenne was wounded in the left Side in that occasion but hâ— had the advantage of stopping the Prince's Furyâ— who happen'd not to be well seconded In the mean time the Marquess of Castelnau having push'd six Squadrons that oppos'd him enter'd Arras having forc'd a Barriere which was very well defended He march'd immediately out of it again with the remainder of his Horse on one side and the Count of Montdejeu sallying out at another they forced the Prince of Conde to retire after having left some Squadrons behind him to favour his Retreat at which time the Combat redoubled The Prince perform'd extraordinary Actions on that occasion and by that Retreat which has been admir'd as much as the Battels he has won he sav'd the Spanish Army which was never so much expos'd or in so much danger of being totally defeated as it was at that time However he abandon'd his Infantry his Canon and his Baggage but even in that he shew'd that he was great in all things and that his Prudence equal'd his Valour which his very Enemies acknowledg'd As this Retreat was very glorious for the Prince of Conde it also afforded a great deal of Reputation to Monsieur de Turenne and the other Generals who reliev'd Arras and constrain'd the Spaniards to raise the Siege This happen'd on the 25th of August The taking of Stenay and the raising of the Siege of Arras were follow'd by the taking of Quesnoy Clermont Catelet Landrecy Conde and St. Guillain which were taken by the French by reason that the Prince of Conde was so much exasperated that his Advice had not been follow'd at Arras and even so mortified that he was unwilling to expose himself to receive new Mortifications in the defence of those places But it happen'd otherwise the following year The French besieg'd Vallenciennes that City was invested on the 15th of Iune and the Prince having omitted nothing in order to succour it he sâ—cceeded in his design And whereas he design'd 〈◊〉 recover the Honour of the Spaniards he took 〈◊〉 Van-guard of their Army and having view'd the French Lines he seiz'd a high Ground they had not yet possess'd themselves of upon which he lodg'd himself which incommoded them exceedingly However this did not hinder them from opening their Trenches and from pushing on the Siege with a great deal of vigour until the 16th of Iuly But the Prince of Conde who sent Men into the Town every night having order'd the Governor to open the Sluces that day which was the day he had pitch'd upon to attack the French Lines it was accordingly perform'd The Besieged open'd their Sluces which broke at once all the Banks the French had rais'd together with the Bridges they had made upon the Escaâ—t and the Country was overflowed to that degree that it was impossible for Mareschal de Turenne to succour Mareschal de la Ferte whose Quarter was attack'd by Don Iohn of Austria then Governor of the Netherlands and by the Prince of Conde and whatever resistance that Mareschal could make he could not hinder his Lines from being forc'd and the Spaniards from entering into the Town with a considerable Relief which oblig'd the French Army to retire and raise the Siege It is reported that Marshal de Turenne gave Marshal de la Ferte twice notice to stand upon his Guard and that the Spaniards designed to relieve the Town that night Moreover it is added that he sent him Men to fortifie his Lines giving him to understand that he could not be too careful having to deal with the Prince of Conde but that some Jealousie between them made that Generaâ— despise that Advice and Offer However it iâ— most certain that the Prince of Conde who waâ— resolv'd to relieve the place at any rate attack'â— Marshal de la Ferte's Quarters with so much Furyâ— that he would have accomplish'd his Enterprizeâ— whatever Assistance he had receiv'd from Marshaâ— de Turenne That Prince no sooner appear'd buâ— the French Horse being terrified wheel'd aboutâ— and abandon'd Marshal de la Ferte and instead of marching up to the Spaniards ran away and retir'd The Disorder was so great among that Cavalry that finding no Bridges to cross the Escaut all of them being overflow'd they lâ—apt down from certain Downs and sell pell-mell upon Monsieur de Bellefond's Tents Monsieur de la Ferte was taken and had been kill'd but for the Captain of his Guards but it cost that poor Gentleman his Life who throwing himself before the Marshal received a shot in the Headâ— of which he dy'd some days after Monsieur de Moret Count d' Estrce the Lieutenant of the Cardinals Chevaux Legers the Ensign and several other Officers belonging to the Gens d' Arms and Chevaux Legers were takenâ— and above 1500 Men and Horses were dâ—owned The Marshal de la Ferte was carried into the Town and lodg'd in Mons de Bournonville's House who was Governor where the Prince of Conde came to see him he found him a Bed where he ran to embrace him after which he said these words to him I could wish your Comrade had been taken in your stead not that I fear him in the Field I should dread you much more than him but it would have been a satisfaction to me to see him undergo a Disgrace which in my opinion he deserves much more than you All I have to say to you since you are my Prisoner is that you shall be at Liberty as soon as possible I can I would send you back to morrow but that I am oblig'd to keep Measures 〈◊〉 the Spaniards As for a Ransome I desire none 〈◊〉 any of your Money but I am willing to receive that â—hich the King shall give for you Mons. de la Ferte â—eturn'd him a thousand Thanks and some days after he was carried to Rocroy This Diâ—grace surpriz'd the Court a little and â—nimated Marshal de Turenne who preserving the Hopes of making other Conquests in the Low Counâ—ries attack'd La Capelle which he took back from the Spaniards with so much speed that it was impossible for them to relieve it by reason that the Prince of Conde could not be every where While the French besieg'd La Capelle the Spaniards had form'd the Siege of St. Guillain but rais'd it in oâ—der to assemble all their Forces But the raising of that Siege not having been able to hinder the French from performing their Enterprize the Prince of Conde resolved to attack St. Guillain
fought not with the same Success for having gallopp'd his Horse upon the Enemy they were out of Breath before they came to join The Spaniards therefore stood firm to receive 'em and broke the French upon the first Encounter The Marshal after he had fought with an extraordinary Valour had his Arm broken with a blow of a Pistol and had the Misfortune to see all his Wing betake themselves to headlong flight The Spaniards follow'd their Blow vigorously cut some Battallions of Infantry to pieces gain'd the Canon and never stay'd till they came within sight of the Reserve which put a stop to their Victory While the two Wings fought with such unequal Success the French Infantry march'd against the Spanish And already some Battallions were engaged But Espenan who commanded the Foot understanding the Misfortune that had befallen the Left Wing and seeing that all the Spanish Infantry stay'd for him in good Order and with a more then ordinary fierceness in their Countenances thought it convenient not to be too rash but to hold the Enemy in play with light Skirmishes till he saw which of the two Cavalries had the better In the mean time the Duke of Enguien had overthrown all the Walloon and German Foot and the Italians had betaken themselves to flight when he perceiv'd the Rout of the Marshal Then the Prince clearly saw that the Victory depended wholly upon the Troops which he had with him and therefore giving over the pursuits of the Foot he march'd behind the Spanish Battallions against their Cavalry which gave Chase to the Left Wing of the French Army and finding the Enemy Disorder'd by the pursuit he easily put 'em to a total Rout. La Ferte Seneterre who was taken Prisoner in the Rout of the Left Wing where he fought with an extraordinary Courage was found wounded in several places and rescu'd by the Duke Thus the Right Wing of the Spaniards enjoy'd their Victory but a short time They that pursu'd were now forc'd to flie themselves and Gassion meeting 'em in their flight put the greatest part of 'em to the Sword Of all Melos's Army there now remain'd only the Spanish â—oot and they were serrid in one Body together near the Canon More then that the good Order which they kept and their sower Looks shew'd that they would sell their Lives at a dear Rate They were commanded by the Count of Fontaines who was one of the greatest Captains of his Time and tho he were forc'd to be carry'd in a Chair because of his Infirmities yet he would be every where giving Orders But the Duke understanding that Beck was Marching with Six Thousand Foot toward the Entrance of the Wood never stood to consider whither he should Charge the Infantry or not tho' he had but a small number of Horse with him The Count of Fontaines also stood him with a brave Resolution not suffering his Men to Fire till the Fernch were within Fifty Paces of him But then his Battallion open'd and of an Instant a Discharge of Sixteen Canon laden with Cartouches saluted the French Infantry which was accompany'd with a showre of small Shot as thick as Hail This was such a terrible welcome that the French were not able to brook it so that if the Spaniards had had but Horse to have follow'd their Blow the French Foot could never have been rally'd But having no Horse to disturb 'em the Duke soon rallyd 'em again and brought 'em on to a second attack which had the same Success as the former and in short he charg'd those Veterane Spaniards Three times without being able to break ' em But then the Body of the Reserve came up and several Squadrons returning from the pursuit of the Spanish Horse re-joyn'd the Princeâ—s Body And then the Spanish Infantry being surrounded on every side and overlayâ—d with Multitude was constraind to give way to Number So that the Officers layd aside all Thoughts of any longer defending themselves but by the motion of their Hats made a sign of calling for Quarter Upon this the Prince advancing to receive their Parole and give them his the Spanish Foot thought that the Prince had been going to make another Attack upon 'em and upon that mistake discharg'd a full Volly at him which was the greatest danger he was in during the whole bloody Work of the Day Which his men perceiving and attributing it to the Treachery of the Spaniards chargd 'em on every side without expecting any Orders and reveng'd the Risco which their General had escapd with a most dreadful Slaughter of the Spaniards The French pierc'd into the midst of the Spanish Battallion killing all that stood in their way and notwithstanding all that the Duke could do gave Quarter to none but more especially to the Switzers who are usually more Merciless then the French The Prince flew about every where calling to the Souldiers to give Quarter The Spanish Officers also and likewise the Common Souldiers crowded about him for shelter and Don George de Castelui Camp-Master was taken by his own hand In short all that could escape the Fury of the Souldiers ran in heaps to beg their Lives of him and beheld him with Admiration So soon as the Prince had given Orders for securing the Prisoners he made it his Business to â—ally his Men and to put himself in a Condition â—o fight Beck if he should happen to worst Gassion â—r if he should adventure to engage him in the â—lain But Gassion returning from the pursuit of â—he Fugitives told the Duke that Beck made no haste to come out of the Forest only contented himself to pick up the shatterd Wrecks of the Defeat That he had done it in so great Disorder and with so little Knowledge of the Advantages he might have made of the narrow Passes of the Forest that any one might plainly perceive that the Terrour of Melos's Men had struck his Souldiers with the same dismay In a word after he had savd some remnants of the Spanish Army he retreated with an incredible precipitancy leaving behind him two pieces of Canon The Duke finding his Victory absolutely secure fell upon his Knees in the midst of the Field of Battel commanding all his Men to do the same and gave God Thanks for his great Success And certainly all France was no less obligd to pay her Thanksgivings to Heaven and her Thanks to Him For assuredly it may be said that for many Ages France had never won a Battel more Glorious nor of greater Importance And indeed great Actions were perform'd on both Sides The Valour of the Spanish Infantry can never be sufficiently applauded For it is a thing but rarely heard of that after the Rout of an Army a Body of Foot deprivd of Cavalry ever had the Resolution in open Field not only to stand One but Three Attacks without being so much as stirr'd and it may be truly said that if the Reserve had not come up the Prince
and he wrote to the Intendant of that Province to provide great quantities of Corn and Provision for the Subsistance of the Army and then marchd toward Hanault through Landrecies Emery and Barlemont Surrender'd after some few Discharges of the Great Guns and Mauberge open'd her Gates without Resistance He mov'd forward as far as Binch which the Enemy had reinforc'd with some Men and that he might still carry on his Counterfeit show he attackd that small Place which Surrendeâ—'d the same day at Discretion There the Prince stay'd Fifteen days without undertaking any thing till the Preparations for the Siege of Thionville were all ready On the other side as the Prince foresaw the Spaniards were retir'd with their Cavalry under the Guns of the fortifi'd Towns and the remainder of their Infantry was disperc'd into the Cities adjoining to the French Army So that 't was easie for the Prince to get before 'em by wheeling of a suddain toward Thionville He sent strong Parties from Binch to the Gates of Brussels and struck a Terror into the Cities that lay most remote But at length word being brought him that every thing was ready in Champaign for the Siege and that the Marquiss of Geseres was arrivd with the Body under his Command the Duke set forward from Binch and return'd by the way of Barlemont and Mauberge re-entring into the Plain of Roeroy through the same Pass thorough which the Spaniards retreated after the loss of the Battel Upon his departure he sent away dâ— Aumont with Twelve Hundred Horse to join the Marquiss of Gesvres and invest Thionville Sicot was order'd to convoy the heavy Artillery by the way of Toul and Mets while the Infantry with some Field-pieces marchd toward Thionville All these things were executed according to the Duke's Orders Nevertheless d' Aumont and de Gesvres did not arrive before Thionville till Two days before the Prince For notwithstanding the great falls of Rain and the Hardships which the Foot suffer'd in their March he was but Seven days marching between Binch and Thionville choosing some of his way through the Country of France the more to conceal his Design and passing the Meuse at Sâ—dan he cross'd Luxemburgh and sate down the Seventh day before Thionville This Town is Seated upon the Banks of the Moselle on Luxemburgh side not above Four Leagues below Metz. The Plain where it is Seated is very fertile and Border'd on Two sides with little Hills cover'd with thick Woods The Advantage of the Place and Beauty of the Country was the reason that great Expence and Art had been bestow'd upon the Fortifications of it It had been all along in the Possession of the House of Austria only when it was taken by the Duke of Guise in the Reign of Henry the II. till the First Treaty of Vâ—rvins at what time it was restor'd to the Spaniards The Misfortune that befel Fâ—quieres in 1639. had render'd it Famous during the last Wars and every Body lookt upon it as a Conquest of Importance but which would cost dear The Moselle secures it wholly on the one side so that on that side there is only one Rampart terminating in a right Line The remaining Circuit is fortifi'd with Five great Bastions lin'd with Free-Stone and Two Demi-Bâ—stions at the Two Ends that re-join the River The Mote is large deep and full of Water The Counterscarp is very broad and the Courtins cover'd with Five Half Moons and before the Gate on that side next to Cirque stands a great Horn-work The Country round about it is so plain and level that there is no approaching the Town without being expos'd to great and small Shot and the adjoining Hills command the Plain in several Parts which makes the raising a Circumvallation difficult There were Eight Hundred Foot in the Town and Store of Ammunition and Provisions when the Duke sate down before it So soon as the foremost Troops began to enter the Plain he caus'd the Commander Grancy to pass the River with the Cavalry to hinder the Entrance of any Relief before the Quarters were assign'd This Grancy had commanded at the First Siege in 1639. and was â—ully acquainted with the Situation of the Places and Passes through which the Spaniards could steal in Relief But many things happen in War which all the Prudence of a General and his Principle Officers cannot prevent While Grancy pass'd the River the Prince stay'd in the Plain and as his Forces came up order'd 'em to be posted in all the Avenues which were most to be suspected referring till the next day the Appointment of their several Quarters and the Settlement of the Camp The whole Army also stood to their Arms all that Night without hearing the least News of the Spaniard Yet by break of day word was brought to the Duke that a Reinforcement of near Two Thousand Men was got into the Town through the Count of Granâ—y's Quarters Nevertheless the Count had plac'd his Corps du Guard with all the Care imaginable besides that he visited all the Posts himself with an extraordinary Vigilance Nor had he had any Alarum all the Night long However an Hour before day one of his Parties brought Two Country-Men to him who affirm'd that some Spanish Troops had pâ—ss'd the River at Cirque and that they march'd along the Bank of the River and got into Thionvilâ—e and they told their Story with so many Circumstances and so much Probability that Grancy believ'd ' em At the same time therefore he chang'd the Order of his Guards and leading all his Forces to that Place which the Peasants had describ'd to him he left but Two Regiments to Guard the Post toward Mets. In short Two Thousand Men had pass'd the River at Cirque but they took another way then that which the Peasants Information mention'd For instead of keeping close to the River they had taken a compass round about the Wood to enter into the Plain on that side next Metz. And indeed the Spantards perform'd their Business with extraordinary Diligence and Courage so that by peep of day they were discover'd marching directly to the Half-Moon so that the French Guards astonish'd at this Alarum Charg'd the Relief too late and with some Disorder And whether the Spaniards perform'd any Exploit more remarkable then usual or whether the Guards were remiss in their Duty that Reinforcement enter'd Thâ—onville without any loss The Duke was not a little displeas'd at the News he saw it would much retard the taking of the Place and by Consequence delay those other Conquests which depended upon this if it did not quite put 'em off till the next Campaign A place like Thionville well fortifi'd and defended by a numerous Garison could not be carry'd in a small time nor without a great Loss of Men. But all these Inconveniencies did not hinder the Prince from continuing the Siege On the contrary he apply'd himself to it with so much the more Diligence
Grounds and Turenne at the same time entring the Plain Mercy would not be able to withstand ' em So soon as the Forces were all arriv'd the Duke gave Order that they should prepare over Night to fight the next Morning and Turenne having a great Compass to fetch set forward before break of day but the Difficulties which he met with in his March retarded the Onsets which both Armies should have made at the same time The Duke dispos'd of his Men in this manner His Infantry was compos'd of Six Battallions each consisting of Six hundred Men. Espenan Camp-Marshal was commanded to make the first Assault with two Battallions of the Regiments of Persan and Enguien The Count of Tournon put himself at the Head of the Regiments of Conti and Mazarine to Second Espenan The Duke reserv'd two Regiments to himself to be imploy'd as occasion shall require and Marshal Grammont Martin L' Eschelle and Mauvily remain'd about his Person Palluau Seconded the whole Attack with the Regiment of Horse of Enguien and the Gentlemen were posted at the Entrance into the Plain in a very close Place to hinder the Bavarians from flanking the Infantry To come at the Enemy there was a necessity of clambring up a very steep side of a Place cross a Vineyard wherein were Walls at such a distance about four foot high that serv'd the Bavarians instead of Entrenchments However the commanded Men got up into this Vineyard and drave the Bavarians into their Entrenchments of Firr-Trees behind which they fir'd with more then ordinary fury Nor could the French Infantry force those Trees so entangl'd one within another as they were without loosing a great many Men and breaking their Body The Duke therefore who was advanc'd to 〈◊〉 the Effect of the Onset observ'd that the firâ—â— Line of his Men gave ground and that they weâ—â— got part within the Entrenchments of Firr-Treeâ—â— and part without neither flying nor moving forward They began also to slide along the Bavarian Camp toward the Right hand and fall upon â—em at the top of the Mountain But the Prince who had observ'd before that that same part was not to be forc'd rightly judg'd that the Success of his Enterprise depended more upon carrying the Enemies Line in the middle For that reason he resolv'd to renew the Assault with what remaind of the first Regiments tho he had no more then two with him self and those discourag'd by what they had seen then Fellowâ— suffer And indeed at first it seem'd a piece of Rashness with two thousand repuls'd Men to attempt the forcing of three thousand well Entrench'd and puft up with the Advantage theâ—â— had got But it was impossible otherwise to disingage and bring off those that had got beyond the Entrenchment of Fir-Trees For in abandoning them the Duke must have been forc'd to have retreated with Vexation to have fail'd in his Enterprise and Sacrific'd in vain the best part of his Infantry Besides that all the Bavarian Army would have fallen upon Turenne not having any other to oppose The Prince consider'd all these things in an Instant alights from his Horse and putting himselfâ— at the Head of Conti's Regiment march'd directly against the Enemy Tournon and Castelnau-Maâ—â—villiere did the â—ame with the Regiment of Mazarine Grammont Martin L' Eschelle Mauvilly La Moussaye Ierze the Chevaliers Chabot and Graâ—mont Isigny Meâ—lles La Baulme Tourville Barbantane Disbrotteaux Aspâ—emont Viange together wiâ—h all the Officers and Volunteers alighted 〈◊〉 this Action gave new Life to the Souldiers 〈◊〉 the Duke being the first that pass'd the Enâ—â—enchment of Firr-Trees all the rest following 〈◊〉 Example throng'd over the Entrenchment 〈◊〉 they that defended the Line fâ—ed into the Wood by the favour of approaching Night After this first Advantage won the Duke mounâ—ed into a Redoubt which he found quittedâ— but the Condition he was in was no less dangerous â—hen the Action he had perform'd One part of his Infantry was kill'd the rest had broken their Order in pursuit of the Fugitives The Enemy 〈◊〉 held the Fort where they had planted their Artillery and Mercy was in a Posture able to Charge the Prince in this Confusion but it may be the Night which drew on a pace hinder'd him from making the best of his Advantage Therefore while there remaind as yet some glimmerings of day the Prince rally'd his â—â—otâ— fortifi'd the Redoubts which he had won and notwithstanding the Diâ—â—iculty of the way caus'd his Cavalry to mount to the top of the Hill which he possess'd And after he had got all his Men together he order'd all â—is Trumpets to sound and all the Kettle-Drums to beat that so he might give Turenne notice that he had gain'd the Top of the Hill and then prepar'd every thing ready to renew the Conflict the next Morning Tiâ—â—nne on his side had with great Vigour attack'd the Trees that were layd in the Vally between the Mountainâ— which the Duke had carry'd and that which lay near Friburgh But Mercy not dreaming they could force his Camp on that side next the Mountain considering how it was fortifi'd hâ—d sent away his Principal Strength to defend the Vally and this is that which usually happens in the attacking of Lines that those parts which are deem'd to be the strongest are soonest taken The Place was wide enough behind his Entrenchment to draw up his Men in order of Battel so that when Turenne's Men had driven back the Infantry which defended the Entrance into it all the Bavarian Cavalry were ready and in a Capacity to second their Foot without breaking their Squadrons which was the Reason that Turenne meeting with so vigorout a Resistance could by no means force the Bavarians Sometimes he gain'd some Posts then he lost 'em again so that Turâ—nne's Attack was nothing but continual Skirmishing without being able to break into the Enemies Entrenchments thâ— he did all that the Courage and Conduct of a Great Captain could do to surmount the Disadvantages of Ground and Number The Duke of Enguien had heard from the Top of the Mountain the Noise of this Attack and prepared for another Onset the next Morning And his Design was to March over the High Groundsâ— to the Bavarian Camp on purpose to make the Enemy turn one part of their Fâ—rces against himâ— to â—acilitate Turenne's Entrance into the Plainâ— and every body prepar'd for this Enterpâ—ise as it they had been assur'd of Victory it being impossible that Mercy should sustain Two Onsets at the same time one from aâ—ove and in the Rear of his Army while the other assail'd him every where else Nevertheless Mercy would not run such a dangerous Risco but got away as fast as he couldâ— To that purpose he drew off his Men from the Top of the Mountain next to â—riburgh and before day sent away his Canon that was under the Dukeâ—s Armâ—â— ere the French Generals had notice of it So that they were surpris'd the
Canon from the Flanks But the Besieged planted so many upon the Faces of the Bastions the Rampart of which was very low that they ruin'd those of the Besiegers For which reason the Duke was constrain'd to raise Shoulderings to hide his Batteries and cover the Faces of the Bastions By which means his Canon got the Mastery and the Besiegers labour'd with more security to perfect their Bridge Then Bamberg found that it would not be in his Power to hinder the Mâ—at from being fill'd up and therefore knowing his Garrison to be but weak he thought it not convenient to stay till the Miners were set to work in hopes before that to make a more Advantageous Capitulation Thereupon he beat a Parley Hostages were given on both sides and the Garrison march'd out the twelfth of September to the number of five Hundred Men with two Pieces of Canon The Duke put Persan's Regiment into the Town and made Espenan Governour The winning of this Place tho more easie then the Prince foreâ—saw or expected gave great Reputaâ—ion to the Arms of France insomuch that several Cities sent their Deputiesâ— Nor did 〈◊〉 till D'Aumont summon'd 'em but sent Commissioners with their Keys to the D. who receiv'd 'em Honourably and after he had confirm'd their Priviledges sent 'em back with Order to dismiss the Imperialists and receive a French Garrison which a' Aumont had Instructions to put into the Town But the Duke could not reap himself the Fruits of the taking of Philipsburgh nor could he remove from thence before he had repair'd the Fortifications For the Enemy was at hand his Men were much lessen'd and weary'd his Canon had made great Ruins which were to be repair'd nor was the Prince in a Condition to stand Mercy who had both refresh'd and recruited his Army since his retreat from Friburgh So that all the Duke could do was to settle his Quarters in the Places along the Rhine in such a manner that the Enemy could neither regain what he had won nor force him to a General Battel He had the River on the one side the City on the other the Fort of Rhine before him and the Mersh and the Woods behind him His Army being thus Advantageously Posted he detach'd Turenne to go and attack Wormes This City is not Inferiour either in Dignity or number of Inhabitants to any of the Cities of Germany being Seated upon the Bâ—nks of the Rhine and fortifid as much as the Largeness and Situation of it would permit Duke Charles of Lorrain kept Garrison there and since the Loss of his Territories he had hardly any other Place of Retreat but that Turenne sent away the Foot his Canon and all other things necessary for his Design by Water Which done he march'd through the Palatinate with two thousand Horse and defeated six hundred Mâ—n which General Beck had sent to Frankendale The Inhabitants of Wormes also open'd their Gates and sent away the Lorrainers Thereupon Turenne continu'd his March toward Mayence and detach'd away Roze to take in Oppenheim a little City seated in a Pain ill fortifi'd but defended with a very good Castle Roze found no Resistance there and Turenne at the same time presented himself before Mayence and Lodging himself in the Subburbs sent a Trumpeâ— to those that commanded in the City with Offers of Honourable Conditions Mâ—yâ—nce is the Seat of an Archbishop who is one of the Electors and one of the Principal Cities of Germany besides that it is Large Populous and well Built considering that it lyes in a Country where good Architecture was never much known or practis'd The Situation renders it considerable being seated just opposite to the mouth of the Mein which washes one part of the Walls On the Land side it is defended by a Citadel with four Bastions But as it is usual in great Cities the Fortifications had been long neglected so that the Principal defence of the Town consisted in the number of Inhabitants not in the strength of the Ramparts At the lower end of the City upon the Bank of the Rhine stâ—nâ—s a Magnificent Câ—stle which is the Residence of the Elector In the time that this City was under the Power of the Swedes the King had caus'd a Fort of six Bastions call'd Gustawburgh to be built in that part where the two Rivers meet But the Imperialists having at length retaken Mayence the Fort was quitted by the Swedes and the Electors let it run to ruine When Vicount Turenne enter'd the Subburbs there was in thâ— Town an Imperial Garrison of eight Hundred Men Nevertheless the Elector not believing he could remain there in safety was retir'd to Hermestein so that the Chapter which has all the Authority of the Government in the Absence of the Arch-bishop caus'd all the Bodies of the City to meet together and after several Deliberations they resolv'd to send their Commissioners to the Duke of Enguien and to present the Keys of the Town to himself to make their Capitulation the more Honourable by the Quality of the Person that receiv'd ' em Turenne sent this Answer to the Duke who lay still with his Army near to Philipsburgh who thereupon departed with a Convoy of four Hundred Horse and came to Mayence in a day and a half And while both sides were drawing up the Articles of the Surrender Mercy lay posted upon the Hills between Hailbrun and Neckersulm leaving the Necker before him Hailbrume is not above fourteen Leagues from Philipsburgh and Mâ—rcy pretended from thence to put a stop to the Progress of the Duke To which purpose he detach'd Wolfs a famous Collonel among the Bavarians with two hunder'd Horse and five Hunder'd Drâ—goons to put himself into Mayence tho Wolfs could not get thither above a quarter of an hour before the Duke of Enguien So that the Trumpet which the Duke sent to give the City notice of his coming found Wolfs harangâ—ing the Townsmen and encouraging them to stand upon their own defence offering the Reinforcement which he had lefâ— on the other side of the Rhine as also the Assistance of the whole Bavarian Army which would follow him in a little time But the Inhabitants who knew the Duke was in their Subburbs stood to their Word which they had given to Turenne and after they had dismiss'd Wolfs out of the City sent their Deputies to the Duke to conclude their Treaty of Capitulation The Chapter also oblig'd themselves to send out the Garrison which they kept in Binghen a small City and to admit the French The Duke gave thâ— Government of Mayence to the Count of Courval and put a strong Garrison into the Town with all things necessary to repair the old Fortifications and make new ones Turenne likewise took Creussnack in his March and d' Aumont invested Landau with twelve hundred Foot and fifteen hundred Horse This is a City seated in a Plain four Leagues from Philipsburgh well Peopl'd and having a Rampart flank'd by two
high that the rising of the Hills does not hinder it from being seen out at Sea and from the Platform at the top you may discover in a serene day the Mouâ—tains of Dover and the Coast of Englanâ— â— At first Dunkirk was only a poor Hamlet compos'd of Fishermens Hutts erected for the conveniency of the Haven Afterwards Antiquity and Carelessness having spoil'd the Harbour of Mardike famous at that time it became considerable by the Ruine of that Port. Baldwin Count of Flanders Sirnamd the Young made a City of it in the Year nine hundred four score and sixteen Afterwards it was peopled by the Favour of Philip of Vermandois who endowing it with several Immunities drew great numbers of Inhabitants to it It would require a particular History to relate how often it has changd Masters how often it fell in Partition to Robert de Cassel how it past to Robert de Barr â— who by the Marriage of his Daughter he fix'd it into the Family of St. Pol how it fell afterwards to the Families of Vendosm and Bourbon afterwards under the Dominion of the Spaniards It would be also no less Delightful to understand the various Misfortunes it has undergone how the English burnt it in the Year 1388. how it was surpriz'd by the French a long time after under the Marshal Termes what are the Priviledges of the Lords of it what are the Laws it is govern'd by what is the Trade which it drives what is the Supream Marine Council which is there settl'd what is their Herring-fishing and the great vâ—nt they have for that Commodity and what the Priviledges wherewith the Emperor Charles the V. endowd â—em But in regard our Design is only to write the Siege of this place without intending any other Divertisement for the Reader we shall only give an account of the State of the City at the time when the Prince's Army sate down before it 〈…〉 divided into two Cities the old and 〈…〉 The old is seated upon the Sea-shore en 〈…〉 hick Wall after the ancient man 〈…〉 a great many large Towers sup 〈…〉 a spâ—cious Rampart accompany'd with 〈…〉 with Brick above 26 foot wide and 〈…〉 Colme Water which swells in that 〈…〉 Tides are higher or lower On Mardike 〈…〉 Sea runs up into the Land and extending 〈…〉 the Wall of the old City forms a Ha 〈…〉 to contain 200 great Ships however 〈…〉 it is very narrow and dangerous by 〈◊〉 of the Shelves and Sands that lye full in the 〈…〉 it Within the Canal which is no less 〈◊〉 then the Haven above a hundred Vessels may â—ide 〈◊〉 safety Out of this Haven sayl'd the 〈…〉 blockd up the mouths of our Rivers and were â—â—câ—me so formidable upon all the Westeâ—◠〈…〉 France Antiquity never knew Men 〈…〉 pon the Sea then the Dunkirkers And indeed iâ— iâ—â— thing hardly to be believ'd that this Câ—â—y aloâ—e should have almost spoil'd the Trade of 〈…〉 potent Kingdoms of Europe and 〈…〉 Dâ—tch Fleets that Sail to the New World ◠〈…〉 from the Spaniards whole Provinces 〈…〉 were not our Merchants Losses as Fa 〈…〉 Scandalous Testimony of their Fury and â—alour Oâ— that side next to France from the 〈…〉 against the Walls of the old City the Hâ—veâ— is defended by the Fort de Leon built upon the 〈◊〉 and by consequence ill flank'd by reaso◠〈◊〉 the Inconvenience of the Place otherwise small but strongly Pallisadâ—'d and furnish'd with a 〈◊〉 of great Canon On the other side of the Haven rises â— Causey which running 5 or 600 Paces 〈◊〉 the Sea covers it on Flanders side and juts upon a small wooden Fort planted with some Canon The new City joyns to Fort Leon and enclosing the rest of the Harbour afterwards enlarges and extends it self about the Old one beyond the way that leads to Newport It is environ'd with an enclosure of 12 Bastions of Earth with a Moat full of Water and a Counterscarp and two Hornworks fill up the whole space that remains between the hind most Bastion and the Causey that shoots into the Sea Toward the South three large Canals run out of Dunkirk and afford the advantage and convenience of transporting in their Beelands these Commodities which they vend up and down the Country These Canals fall into the Haven and serve either to cleanse it or to drown the Parts adjoyning to the City as they pull up or let down their Sluces The first leads to Bergâ—â—n the second to Honsâ—otte the third to Furnâ—s Newport and then to Brugeâ— The Magistrates having begun this latter in the year 1640. and having finish'd it the next year gave it the name of the New River the other two are very Ancient Dunkirk was guarded within with two thousand six hundred Foot in a 11 Regiments and without by the Armies of Caracena and Lamboy In those Regiments the number of Officers equall'd almost that of the Souldiers There were also in the Town 300 Horse and 2000 Seamen accustom'd to Sea Fights the fury of which makes 'em contemn all other dangers the Fortifications were well provided with Artillery and as we have said already there was nothing wanting in the City that might serve for the defence of it So soon as the Army came before the City the Prince assign'd the Quarters and resolv'd to dispose of his Men in such a manner that if the Enemy should attempt to raise the Siege they could not be able either to succour the Town nor force his Camp On the East side of him there was a space of Ground which separates the New River from the Sea This space of Ground is cover'd in part with unequal Hills or Downs both in regard of their Situaâ—ion and Heighth and perfectly extends it self into a Plain which is water'd by the New River and then runs on as far as the Canal of Honscotte From this Canal going to Mardike there are two Mershes which are cut out of the Canal of Berguin and some other Rivers To the West you meet with a Plain opposite to the former other Downs and then the Sea Shoar These laâ—ter Places seem'd sufficiently defended by the Canals and the Mershes which made the Access very difficult to those that were not Masters of 'em as also by the Neighbourhood of Mardike and Berguen which secur'd â—em The greatest danger was toward the East for that the Enemy setting fâ—rward from Newport which is but â—5 Miles from Dunkirk might come to the Camp in a few Hours without any Molestation which obligâ—d the Prince to make sure of that place To which purpose he caus'd Gassion to encamp with his Brigade from the Sea Shore to the middle of the Downsâ— the rest he took up himself and all the Plain as far as the New River There he lodg'd the Men which he himself lead and that he might wholly fill up the Place that remain'd void along thâ— Caâ—al of Furnes he joyn'd to his own Men ten Companies of French Gendarmes and
several Favours upon that House Her Orders were happily obey'd tho the King thought he had already done enough having but a little before made the Duke of Anguien General of his principal Army To which at first he had so great a reluctancy that he had once resolv'd to order his retiring into Burgundy They also persuaded him to confer an Honour upon our deceased Cousin the Prince of Conde which he had long desir'd which was to make him President of his Council and some few days after he was made Grand Master of France tho the King was resolv'd to have utterly supprest it The Queen afterwards at the very beginning of her Regency bestow'd upon him in our Name the Houses of Chantilli and Dampmaâ—tin which was the Noblest Present that ever any King made to one person He was also 〈◊〉 to purchase the Estate of our Deceased 〈◊〉 the Duke of Bellegarde wherein the Town of 〈…〉 comprehended which considering the 〈…〉 oâ— the Place it self and the Scituation of 〈…〉 of our Cousins other Governments lay 〈◊〉 â—ost convenient for him of any of the Kingdom 〈…〉 so many Favours and those extraordinary 〈◊〉 granted to the Father were no less advantaâ—â—â—â— to the Son who enjoy'd the benefit of 'em 〈…〉 was still so Gracious as to confer consideâ—â—â—â—â— Fâ—â—ourâ— on the Person of the D. of Enguien Our 〈…〉 Mâ—rshal de L'Hospital had the Government of 〈◊〉 given him in Recompence of his Services 〈…〉 was rewarded with the Government 〈…〉 Toâ—n and Citadel of Stenay yet both the 〈◊〉 day â—â—ven to the Duke Upon the Death of 〈…〉 we bestow'd in one day upon his Family 〈◊〉 â—â—ployment of Grand Master of France the 〈…〉 of Three Provinces Burgundy Bresse 〈…〉 besides that of Champaigne which he had 〈◊〉 and three strong Towns the Castle of Dijon 〈…〉 and Bourges besides Bellegard and 〈◊〉 which he had in possession And we have 〈◊〉 to believe that there never was any Greediâ—â—â—â—â— afteâ— large Possessions and soaring Greatness so 〈◊〉 but would have been fully gorg'd by 〈◊〉 an Eâ—fuâ—ion of Benefits and Favours of all sorts 〈◊〉 our said Cousin then gave us formal Assurances That he would never desire any thing more for the 〈◊〉 â— confessing and acknowledging That whatâ—â—â—â— Seâ—vices he had done or whatever he could do 〈◊〉 Kingdom he could not in reason demand any 〈◊〉 â—â—â—n what had been done already for him Neâ—â—â—â—heleâ—â— in a little time after he set a foot other 〈◊〉 Clâ—ims under precarious and unjust Pretences 〈◊〉 the beâ—ter to attain his Ends renewing his forâ—â—â—â— Discontents because we had given to our most 〈◊〉 Lady and Mother the Disposal of the place of Lord High Admiral and Superintendent of the Maritime Affairs vacant by the Death of our Cousin the Duke of Breze his Brother-in-Law as if he had had a particular Privilege to make Hereditary in his Family all the Offices which his Kindred had possess'd during their Lives forgetting that he had positively promis'd to demand nothing more of us after we had gratify'd him with so many others upon the Death of his Father who dy'd presently after the D. of Breze Nevertheless we resolv'd upon one trial more to give him satisfaction in hopes that Age would moderate his Excesses and temper the exorbitant heat of his Ambition and to the end we might once for all deprive him of any Necessity and Excuse for demanding any more we heap'd up the Measure to the top and upon his renew'd Promises never to make any farther Demands we granted him a new Favour which surpass'd all the rest by adding to the Towns of Burgundy which he had already and to Stenay that of Clermont with a Gift of all the Demeasnes belonging to it as also to Stenay and Iamets which are worth near a Hundred thousand Livres a year After that we admitted the Prince of Conti into our Councils at Twenty years of Age tho his Brother and his Brother-in-Law had a Pension there already of a Hundred thousand Livres and Danvilliers's Employment for which he was to give a Recompence to the Sieur Danevoux and had settl'd upon him in our Name divers Bodies of Horse and Foot We omit several other Favours which we have conferr'd upon our Cousin the Prince of Conde which alone were sufficient to satisfie any reasonable mind besides considerable Sums of Money which we have bestow'd upon him every year and all the Augmentations of Pensions for him or his Family and Relations for whom he desir'd em We speak not of the respect which we always had for his Requests â—or Patâ—ents for Dukes for the Promotions of Maresâ—hals of Frâ—nce and a world fo Military Employâ—eâ—ts and others of all sorts as Abbots Bishops and â—overâ—meâ—ts of Places bestow'd at his Recommendaâ—â—â—â—â—pon persons at his Devotion Lastly we call God to witnâ—ss That there is no sort of study or inâ—â—â—try which we have not put in practice as well toward himself as with his most familiar Confidents â—o â—ix his mind and give him satisfaction And upâ—n this account we are oblig'd to testifie That our mâ—st deâ—r and most beloved Uncle the Duke of Orâ—â—â—ce pâ—eferring the Tranquility of the Kingdom and the Good of our Service before any other parâ—iculâ—r â—nterest or Consideration has all along persâ—â—ded us to these Sentiments and by that means highly contributed to the advantages of the said Pâ—â—â—ce and the satisfaction of all his Demands But all in vain no Favour no Application no Confiâ—ence having hitherto been able to limit his irregular Amâ—iâ—ion The nature of the several pretensions which he has set on foot from time to time and from which he has eâ—deavour'd to exempt himself with â—ildness and Prudence may easily evince to the world that they were the Sentiments and Transports of such a mind Sometimes he has vehemently insisted to have the Command of an Army for the Conquest of Frâ—nche Conte upon condition that he might have the Sovereign Possession of it In the midst of the last Campaign while our Army was advanc'd into Flanders and that it could not be enfeebled without running the Risco of some great Blow laying aside all other thoughts which way to annoy the Enemy even to the hazard of exposing our Fâ—ontiers and Strong Holds to the Assaults of our Enemies he would needs have a Detatchment of a â—reat Body of Horse drawn out to go to Liege â— to support the Design which he had to help his Brotheâ—â—he Prince of Conti to the Coadjutorship of that Biâ—â—oprick by that means to render more conâ—iderable the places which he holds upon the Mense and in his Government of Champaigne besides another great Establishment wâ—ich he projected to erect on that side as we shall afterwards make appear All which clearly shews by many remarkable Circumstances to what a degree he was possess'd with a desire of Sovereignty An Imagination the more dangerous in a Mind all Fire like his because we are moreover well inform'd That among his intimate
Steeples in sign of Peace and to distinguish themselves from the Hormeâ—sâ—s whose Colours were Red in sign of Warâ— and to shew that they were ally'd to Spain All this oblig'd the Factious to lay down their Armâ— All things being dispos'd thus to a good Peace Notice was given thereof to the Duke of Vendôme â— who immediately dispatch'd his Secretary to know the real Sentiments of the Bordelois Monsieur de Marsin endeavour'd to create Jealousies about that Envoy to the end that he might receive no Audience But Three Hundred Citizens went out to meet him to Conduct him to the Exchange where he deliver'd his Credentials and the same day two Citizens were sent to the Duke of Vendôme with Aâ—ticles of â—eâ—ce And whereas those Deputies observ'd that Marsin likewise sent two Officers to the Duke to make Propositions in his Name which might hinder the Effect of the Negotiation they acquainted that Prince in private with the Intentâ—ons of those who had sent them in so much that the Treaâ—y of Peace was concluded and sign'dâ— After which the Duke of Vendôme and the Duke of Candale entred into Bordeaux where their Presence made an end of dissipating all the Factions The Parliament that had been transfer'd sometimes to Agen and sometimes to Reolle because it favour'd the Prince of Conde's Party was re-establish'd in Bordeaux And as soon as the Peace was Proclaim'd Colonel Balâ—â—zar was order'd to quit the City with his Forces the Prince of Conty retir'd first to Cadillac and from thence to Pezenas The Princess of Conde went to her Husband in Flanders and the Dutchess of Longuâ—ville was order'd to retire to Montreuil-Bellay The Disorders of Bordeaux being thus terminaâ—â—â— to the King's Advantage all the Province of 〈◊〉 was soon restor'd to a perfect Tranquility 〈◊〉 is reported that in the beginning of the Troubâ—â—s and Seditions of that Province Marsin who Commanded the Forces there under the Prince of Câ—â—ty sent some very able Men to Cromwel to â—â—dâ—â—vour to draw that Protector of England into the Prince of Conde's Party but he refus'd to engage in â—t or to send any Succours whether he judg'd thâ—â— his Authority was not as yet sufficiently Establish'd or whether he were persuaded that that Seâ—ition would not succeed and that the King would soon be able to bring them back to their Allâ—â—iance or lastlâ— whether he was to maintain a considerable War against Holland In the mean time the Prince of Conde who had â—â—â—â—â—er'd himself that the Sedition excited in Guienne would be greatly seconded and that it would be very lâ—sting and moreover that it would be an Examplâ— to all the other Provinces of the Kingdom propâ—â—â—d to himself to make some Expedition on his side upon the Frontier of Picardy and in order to succeed the better he implor'd the Assistance of the King of Spain who sent him Forces under â—he Conduct of the Count of Fuensaldagne The Prince intended to seize the Town of Han but being doubtful of the Sucâ—ess he turn'd his Arms â—owards Roye which he caus'd to be invested by the Lâ—â—roâ—â—ers Commanded by the Chevalier of Guise The Gentry thereabouts being retiâ—'d into that Town declar'd when it was Summon'd to suâ—â—â—â—â—d That they were resolv'd to defender themâ—â—â—ves to the utmost Extremity But whereas Roye is not sufficiently fortify'd nor had a sufficient â—â—rrison to resist long against an Army of 15000 Men it suâ—render'd upon Articles after having repuls'd the Efforts of the Enemies as long as possible they could During these Transactions the French Army besieg'd Mouson and took it after some Resistance The Generals press'd that Siege with great vigor in order to succour Rocroy which was besieg'd by the Enemies but Rocroy was taken before the French Forces arriv'd The Marshal du Plessis Pralin to make amends for that Loss besieg'd St. Menehoult in the Month of November the which did not resist long The Prince of Conde tho' sick at that time of a Quartan Ague us'd his utmost Endeavours to prevent that Conquest But the Vigour wherewith the Siege was press'd and the Attacks given oblig'd it to yield The King's Presence who was not far from thence also contributed much towards the Reduction of that Place In the mean time the King finding that the Prince of Conde remain'd still among the Enemies of France order'd the Parliament of Paris which is the Company or Body of the Peets to impeach him That Prince was accordingly inform'd against at the request of the King's Attorney-General and the Parliament summon'd the said Prince to appear within a Fortnight after the Publication of the Decree in the great Chamber there to answer to all the Articles exhibited against him But the Prince no-wise designing to appear there the King dispos'd of his Governments He gave his Place of Lord Steward of the Houshold to Prince Thomas Commissioners were appointed to manage his Estates and the King being come to the Palais on the 28 th of April the Contents of the Informations given against the Prince were read and Judgment pronounc'd against him whereby he was declar'd guilty of High-Treason The Ceremony of the King's Coronation was perform'd at Reims in the Month of Iune and there the Court resolv'd to besiege Stenay The Siege was form'd about the beginning of Iuly under the Command of the Marquess of Fabert Governour of Sedan and the King assisted at it in Person The Spaniards imagining that all the French Forces were employ'd at that Siege resolv'd to besiege Arras That Enterprize was no sooner resolv'd on but the Arch-Duke assembled his â—oâ—ces about la Basseé feigning to have a Design â—pon that place after which he march'd directly to Arras The Spaniards who flatter'd themselves with the taking of that Town soon ended their Circonvalation although it contain'd above fix Leagues Circumference and then they open'd their Trenches but whereas they open'd them on that side which was strongest that oversight cost them near 3500 Men in the Attacks and after above two Months Siege they found themselves only Masters of a small Half Moon and some inconsiderable Works Count Mondejeu who commanded in Arras was over joy'd to see himself attack'd on that side He had been surpriz'd and had but a weak Garrison he dreaded two Attacks at once which would have confounded him but the Spaniards soon rid him of that fear for not being oblig'd to divide the small Number of Men he had he defended himself with Success In the mean time Marshal de Turenne approach'd the Sâ—anish Lines with an Army of 15 or 16000 Men in order to keep them in awe and to improve all the occasions that might incommode their Camp until he had receiv'd greater Forces to succour the Place The Count of Ligneville being sensible that the Neighbourhood of that Army would prove of ill consequence to them in case they allow'd the French time to retrench themselves declar'd That it was
remained in his Camp insomuch that Montecuculi thought of nothing farther than to fortifie himself in Alsatia where he made some small Conquests However in order â—o raise some Jealousie in the Prince of Conde he caused Savernâ— to be besieged but the Prince was no wise moved at it knowing that the place was very well fortified and that the Governor would make a brave Defence And indeed they were oblig'd to raise the Siege The Marquess of Bade Dourlak who commanded the Siege after the raising of it march'd into the Country of Brisgaw which obliged 4000 Horse the Prince of Conde had sent thither to make a Diversion to reâ—ire to the main Army Thus ended the Campaign of 1675. in Germany and all those of the Prince of Conde The loss of Monsieur de Turenne was exceeding sensible to the King of France for several Reasons But had it only been for the Good of the Kingdom he could never regret that General too much And indeed there were so few persons capable of filling up his place that when the King had examin'd iâ— he could hardly fix upon one among all the Princes and Marshals of France The Prince of Conde was generally the only man whose Valour and Merit was known to every body but Mons. de Louvois was not his Friend and the King did nothing without the Advice of that Minister No body can imagine what reason Mons. de Louvoiâ— had to complain of the Prince but yet it is most certain that he did not love him and that he disswaded the King as much as in him lay from giving him the Command of the Army in Germany He acknowledged indeed that the Prince of Conde was one of the greatest Capâ—ains of the Age and that no body could deny him a Glory he had acquir'd by an infinite number of Battels he had won but at the same time he said that he was too fiery and too undertaking that it was evident by the Battel of Senefâ— that he preferred his own Glory to the Good of the Kingdom that a wiser General would have gain'd an entire Victory and preserved those Forces which he lost by his own Fault after the first Advantages he had obtain'd over the Enemies and that he durst not answer that that Prince was as well affected as he had promis'd to beâ— when he made his Peace with his Maâ—esty Whatever Monsieur de Louvois could say to oblige the King not to give the Command of his Army to the Prince of Conde that Monarch was so well perswaded of his Capacity Prudence and Gallantry as well as of the Fidelity he had proâ—isâ—d him that at that time he had no regard to hâ—â— Ministers Remonstrances But the Prince deâ—â—red himself of that Command which was offered him by the Conditions he would make with tâ—e King He desired the Duke d' Enguiâ—is might â—â—â—mand the Army jointly with him promising â—â—at he should do nothing without his Order and thaâ— it was only to have the satisfaction to see his Son whom he lov'd entirely in a condition to acquire Glory But the King who had no great â—indness for the Duke d' Enguiris being moreover of a temper to bestow his Favours freely without compulsion would not hearken to that Proposition Insomuch that the Marquess of Luovois taking the advantage of that Conjuncture propos'd the Duke of Luxemburg who was accepted that very moment As soon as the Duke of Luxemburg had receiv'd his Orders he went away for Alsatia which was the Rendezvous of the Army which had never been so â—ine nor so numerous But all the Officers soon found that the King had given him an Employment he was not capable of and that the Prince of Conde was the only man fit to discharge that Command with Honour in that conjuncture of Affairs The Proof of this soon appear'd when the Duâ—e of Lorrain besieg'd Philipsburg That Place hâ—ld out four months and yet the Duke of Lâ—xembâ—rg was not in a Condition to relieve it tho' at the head of an Army of 50000 men The King was vâ—ry much troubled when the news of the taking of that place was brought him that he had not sent the Prince of Conde to command in Germany but there was no Remedy However he ask'd him what should have been done to save that place Sir answer'd the Prince the Duke of Luxemburg should have hinder'd the Duke of Lorrain from besieging it and since â—e â—ad committed that fault he should have ventur'd the Army and have gone to force the Enemy in his Retrenchments to the hazard of a thousand lives if he had had as many That was the only way Altho' the War continued and that with all the Vigour imaginable Conferences were held at Nimnegen for a Peace the which was concluded in the manner every body knows MEMOIRS OF THE Prince of Conde BOOK VII AFter the Peace of Nimwegen the Prince of Conde resolv'd to desire the King's Leave to retire to Chantilly He told the King in a submissive respectful manner That his Age and Indispositions oblig'd him to entreat his Majesty to consent to that Retirement The King having granted it the Prince quitted the Court and repaired to that House there to lead a private life Divers Reasonings were us'd upon the Motives that had induc'd so great a Prince to lead a life so contrary to his Rank in a Country House Some imagin'd that his Indispositions had put him upon that Resolution and that it had made him apprehensive not only that his Health would still be more impair'd in the Agitations of the Court but also that as it might hinder him from making his Court to the King regularly his Majesty miâ—ht impute that sometimes to a want of Consideration and Respect which only proceeded from Infirmity Others conceiving no other Idea's of the motives of that Hero's Retreat but such as were noble and sublime said That after having acquir'd so so much Glory in Motion and in Action he was willing to acquire a new sort of Glory in Rest and Solitude That after so many Battels and the tumult of Arms he was desirous to taste those peaceable Virtues and that qâ—iet Glory that is neither â—o be shar'd with the Souldiers nor with Fortune in which all is charming and nothing dazzles which is beheld without being troubled with the sound of Trumpets or with the noise of Guns nor by the Cries of the Wounded in which a Hero reduc'd to himself and possessing himself appears as great and is as much respected as when he commands Armies when all moves at his nod when he combats and gains Victories Others alledg'd that the Prince of Conde receiv'd from time to time at Court Malifications from the Kingâ— who remembring what he had done formerly gave him sometimes marks of a secret Resentment and of an Aversion that had never been absoluâ—ely remov'd That the Prince of Conde being very sensible of it had wisely resolv'd to remove an
Duke of Enguien who aspir'd to a higher Alliance shewed at first a Reluctancy to match himself into the Family of that Minister and that he stood upon his Punctilioes like a Person of great Honour and Gallantry But in regard that Cardinal Richlieu to speak properly was then King some there are who say that Lewis XIII gave him to understand that 't was his Pleasure to have the Match concluded unless he had a mind to incur his Anger and that the Cardinal whose will was a Law had layd a Contrivance to have him arrested under some specious pretence if he should hesitate never so little upon the Proposal which was made him nay if he did not make the first steps of Courtship to the Lady However it were the Duke of Enguien went to visit the Cardinal who at that time was at Ruel So that the Match was concluded at that Visit and the 11 th of February the Nuptial Ceremonies were perform'd with Royal Magnificenâ—e War as I have already said being the prevailing Passion that sway'd the Duke of Enguien no sooner the French took the Field in the Year 1641. but he accompani'd Marshal de Meilâ—eray into Elanders and was at the Siege of Aire which was a most remarkable Siege and where he signaliz'd himself with no less Gallentry then in the Trenches of Arras Aire Surrender'd upon Composition but the Spanish Garrison was hardly march'd out of the Town before the Spaniards made themselves Masters of Lilâ—ers and immediately after were resolv'd to fall upon the French in their Lines or to starve 'em in their Entrenchments if they refus'd to fight General Lamboy's Army which the Spaniards had brought into Alsatia puft up with the Victory which they had won at La Marfee near Sedan march'd just before the Van-guard in the very Face of the French Army Of which so soon as Marshal Gassion had Intelligence he Salli'd out of the Camp with a part of his Regiment to observe the March of the Enemy and to Charge 'em in the Rear if they pass'd forward But he was so surpriz'd to see so numerous an Army making towards him that he retreated about a Mile and made a stand upon a Rising Ground at the corner of a little Copse where he stood secure But that which stopt the Marshal de Gassion could not stop the Duke of Enguien who being mounted a Horseback in Company with Marshal de la Meilleray and about three or fourscore Lords and some Volunteers to view the Enemy advanc'd so far that all of a suddain they found themselves environ'd with two great Squadrons of Horse from which they had much ado to free themselves but at length they did get rid of 'em in such a manner as redounded highly to their Honour For after a short but very hot Conflict for the time they regain'd their Linâ—s without much loss and particular Commendations were bestow'd upon the Young Duke for the Bravery and undaunted Courage which he had shew'd upon that Occasion In the Year 1642. Lewis XIII being desirous to make himself Master of Perpignan he order'd the Marshalls de Schombâ—rg and Meilleray to besiege it and that great Monarch was present in Person at the Siege for some time Nor could the D. of Enguien who follow'd the King fail of Employment in an Enterprize of that Nature He commanded the Gentry and Nobility of Languedoc and behav'd himself with so much Honour that the Town being constrain'd to yield aâ—ter a Resistance of four Months believ'd she could not make a more glorious Surrender then by delivering the Keys of her Gates to the Young Prince How many Lives would those Marks of Valour have suffis'd to Honour which the Duke of Enguien gave in his first three Campaignes He shew'd an Ability to Command so extraordinary moâ—e especially at the Siege of the last Place that Lewis XIII who in part had been a Witness of his great Actions thought he could not do France a greater piece of Service then to put him at the Head of his Armies After the taking of Perpignan which was attended with the Surrender of Salces and the total Reduction of the whole Country of Roussillon Cardinal Richlieu dy'd upon the 4 th of December 1642. All People imagin'd that upon the Death of that Minister the Face of Affairs would have strangely alter'd and that Lewis the XIII who had been as it were a Slave for twenty Years together would take that opportunity to break his Chains But through a strange Fatality not easie to be parallel'd that Prince who had boasted upon the News of the Câ—rdinals Death that now he should begin to be a King had not however the Courage to shake off so base and ignominious a Yoke and notwithstanding the aversion he had for the Memory of that Cardinal he saw himself constrain'd through his own Cowardliness not only to dissemble one part of his Sentiments but to authorize the Disposal which that Minister had made by his last Will of the Principal Employments and most important Preferments in the Kingdom In a word the Kindred and Favourites of Cardinal Richlieu enjoy'd all the Advantages which he had procur'd 'em altogether as peaceably after his Death as they did in his Life-time And Cardinal Mazarin who was the only Person of all his Creatures in whom he most confided and who was most deeply engag'd in his Interests was made choice of to Succeed him in the Government of Affairs Buâ— according to all probability there was some Prospect of a suddain Change For Lewis XIII had so long labour'd under a decaying and languishing Distemper that there was no hope of any Cure and then all People believ'd that so soon as the Queen or the Duke of Orleance camâ— to the Regency that Richlieu's Party would be utterly discarded but they flaâ—ter'd themselves in vain For Cardinal Mazarin who fore-saw every thing that could happen and who moreover had very powerful Reasons to side with the Queen and preserve his Authority by that means made use of all his Power over the King to infinuate into his mind that it behov'd him of necessity to declare that Princess Regent The King was no way dispo'd to follow the Cardinals Advice For besides the little Kindness which he had for the Queen he was so ill satisfi'd with her Conduct in regard of the Tyes which he believ'd she had with the Spaniard by the Mediation of the Dutchess of Chevreuse who was fled for Sanctuary to Brussels and he was otherwise so preposess'd that out of the design which the Dutchess had to Marry the Duke of Orleans she had had a hand in the Conspiracy of Chalaes Grand Master of his Wardrobe who would have assassinated him that tho' he gave great Credit to the Cardinals Advice yet he would not give him any positive Answer touching that Matter And indeed the King was at a great loss which way to turn himself There was no Body could
together The place which the Duke made choice of for the field of Battel was wide enough to range his whole Army in the same order as he had contriv'd before The ground was there somewhat more raisd then in the parts adjoyning and extended it self insensibly into all the rest of the Plain There was a great Bogg upon the lefthand and the Wood not being very thick in that part was no hindrance to the Squadrons from drawing into Order Just opposite to that Eminency which the Duke possessd there was another rising Ground almost resembling it where the Spaniards planted themselves and made the same Front as the French and between the two Battels a hollowness ran along in the nature of a Valley By the situation of this place 't is easie to judge that neither of the two Parties could attack each other without ascending Nevertheless the Spaniards had this advantage that upon the declension of their rising ground and before their Left Wing there grew a Cops of Underwood which descended a good way into the Valley where it was an easie thing for them to plant Musketeers to gall the Duke as he marchd toward ' em The Two Generals labour'd with extraordinary Diligence to Marshal their Troops as they came severally up and instead of Skirmishing as is usual when Two Armies meet they spent their whole time in ordering their Men. All this while the Spanish Canon annoy'd the Frâ—nch much more then the French Canon did the Spaniards because they had a greater number more advantageously planted and better ply'd Thâ—refore still as the Duke extended the Wings of his Army the Enemy play'd furiously with their Canon that had it not been for their extraordinary Resolution the French could never have kept the Ground which they posess'd There were above three Hundred Men that day slain and woundded by the Canon Shot among whom the Marquiâ—s of Persan Camp-Master of a Regiment of Infantry receiv'd a Shot in his Thigh About Six a Clock in the Evening the French Army had pass'd the Defile and the Body of the Reserve being got clear of the Wood advanc'd to the Ground which was assign'd it The Duke also unwilling to give the Spaniards any longer time to secure their Posts prepar'd to begin the Fight and the Order of March was given throughout the whole Army when an unlucky Accident not to be foreseen had like to have put all into an extream Confusion and given the Victory to Melos La Ferte Seneterre alone commanded the left Wing in the Absence of the Marshal de l' Hospital who was with the Duke That Wing of the Army was defended by a Bogg on the one side so that the Spaniards could not attack it and therefore la Ferte had nothing to do but to keep â—irm in his Post and expect the signal of Battel The Duke had never quitted the right Wing where while the Oâ—ficers were ranging the Squadrons in their proper Places he made it his chief Business to observe the Countenance of the Enemy and in what places it would be most to his Advantage to Charge ' em But then it was that la Ferte perhaps by some secret Order of the Marshal or else out of Emulation and Envy to Gassion to Signalize himself by some extraordinary Exploit would needs be trying to put a considerable Reinforcement into the Town And to that purpose order'd all the Cavalry to pass the Marsh together with Five Battalions of Foot by the sending away of which Detachment the Left Wing became naked of Horse and much weaknd by the want of a great Body oâ— Foot But so soon as the Duke had Intelligence of itâ— he order'd both Horse and Foot to make a halt and flew to the Place where the Confusion call'd him At the same time also the Spanish Army mov'd forward their Trumpets sounding a Charge as if Melos had design'd to take his Advantage of the Disorder But the Prince having supply'd the void space of the first Line with some Troops of the second the Spaniards stopt which shew'd that they had no other intent then to gain Ground to range their second Line There are certain Critical Minuits in War that flie away with the winged swiftness of Lightning if a General has not a piercing Eye to watch 'em and a presence of Mind to seize upon the Opportunity Fortune never sends 'em again nay many times she turns with Indignation against those that were so blind as not to lay hold of her Favours The Duke of Enguien therefore sent to Command la Ferte back again so that the Detachment re-pass'd the Bogg with all speed and before Night the whole Army was re-settl'd in their appointed Posts Thus this Accident did but only delay the Battel and wrought no other Inconvenience only that it gave the Spaniards time to spread themselves more at large and put themselves into somewhat better Order then they were before The Night was very dark but the Forest being near the Souldiers kindl'd such a vast number of Fires as enlightn'd all the Plain and both Armies were surrounded with an Enclosure of Wood as if they had been to â—ight in a Box. Their Corps du Guards were so near each other that there was no distinguishing the French Fires from the Spanish and both Camps seem'd to be but one So soon as it was Day the Duke gave the signal to March and the Duke himself at the Head of his Cavalry charg'd a Thousand Musqueteers which the Count of Fontaines had lodg'd in the Wood and tho' they fought in a place as it were intrench'd by Nature and advantageous for Foot the Attack was so Vigorous that they were all cut to pieces upon the Place However for fear the Squadrons should be Disorder'd and Broken by crossing the rest of the Wood where that Infantry was Defeated the Duke with the second Line of the Cavalry turn'd to the Left and commanded Gassion to lead the first Line about the Wood upon the Right Thereupon Gassion extended his Squadrons marching under the Covert of the Wood and Charg'd the Enemies Cavalry in Flank while the Duke attack'd 'em in Front All this while the Duke of Albuquerque who commanded the Left Wing of the Spaniards knew nothing as yet of the first Action nor had he foreseen that he might be Attack'd in two places at once For he rely'd upon the Musqueteers that were lodg'd in the Wood and cover'd his first Line to that finding himself in some Disorder upon this Attack he thought it proper to oppose some Squadrons against Gassion by whom he was ready to be surrounded But there is nothing so dangerous for a General as to make great Motions before a Potent Enemy just ready to assail him For those Squadrons already tottering were broken at the first Charge and all Albuquerques's Troops overturn'd one another The Duke seeing 'em flie commanded Gassion to pursue 'em and turn'd short against the Foot Marshal de l' Hospital
as Victorious as he was over the rest of the Army could never have broken that stout and Courageous Infantry One extraordinary Action of the Regiment of Velandia was remarkable In the first Onset which the Duke made on that Regiment the Musketeers being cut in pieces and the Body of Pikes being surrounded on every side by the French Horse they made a â—low retreat in a Body to the Gross of the Spanish Infantry When the Left Wing of the French was broken Word was brought to Sirot that he should save the Body of the Reserve and make his escape that there was no other remedy in regard the Battel was lost To which he answer'd without being mov'd in the least 'T is not yet lost because Sirot and his Companions have not yet fought In short his Courage contributed very much to the Victory But by the report of the Spaniards themselves nothing appeard so worthy of Admiration as the Presence of Mind and Sedateness of the Duke in the hottest Fury of the Battel particularly when the Enemies left Wing was broken for instead of greedily following the pursuit he presently turnd upon their Infantry By which reserv'dness he kept his Men from breaking their Order so that he was in a Condition to assail the Spanish Cavalry who thought themselves Victorious Gassion won Eternal Honour and the Duke gave him great Marks of his Esteem For upon the Field of Battel it self he promisd to procure him a Marshal of France's Battoon which the King granted him some time after Of Eighteen Thousand Foot of which Melos's Army consisted there were above Eight Thousand slain upon the Place and near Seven Thousand Prisoners The Count of Fountaines Camp-Master General was found dead near his Chair at the Head of his Men. The Loss of him was a long time after bewaild by the Spaniards The French applauded his Courage and the Prince himself said That if he â—ould not have got the Victory he woâ—ld â—â—ve dy'd as he did Valandia and Vâ—lalva underwent the same Fate All the Officers were either taken or slain The Spaniards also lost Eighteen Pieces of Canon and Six Battering Pieces Two Hundred Colours of Foot and Sixty of Horse The Pillage was great for that besides the Booty of the Baggage there was the Money of a whole Mâ—steâ— which the Army was to have receivd after the taking of Roâ—roy Of the French were kill'd in all about Two Thousand but very few Officers or Persons of Quality The D. lodgd his Army in the Enemies Camp and after he had given Order for the wounded enteâ—'d a Victor into Rocroy The next day he understood that Melos retird out of the Battel upon the rout of the right Wing of his Army and never minded the rallying of the Fugitives till he was got under the Canon of Philipâ—ille His Cavalry re-join'd him in the same Place but the Foot were utterly ruind and the following Campaigns made appear the Vastness of the Loss which Spain could never yet repair So true it is that a good Army of Foot cannot be too carefully preservd whether in War or Peace seeing it is not in the power of the greatest Kings in a long time to recover a lost Body of Old Officers and Souldiers accustom'd to fight together and endure the Fatigues of War The Duke after he had stayd at Rocroy Two days led his Army to Guise the same way that he came There he rested some days during which the Prince prepard every thing ready to enter the Enemies Country For in regard the Magazines had been only provided for the Defensive part there was a necessity of Storing up Provisions and Ammunition in the most advancd Places of the Frontiers Flanders lay open on every side which way soever the Duke had a Design to Lead his Victorious Army there was nothing to oppose his Passage He might either attack Mets or the Towns upon the Scheldt or the Moselle There was also great probability that all these Enterprizesâ— might prove extreamly Beneficial But the winning of the Sea-Towns seemd the most Advantageous which would not only be an Assistance to the Hollanders but deprive the Low-Countries at the same time of the most speedy Succours which they receiv'd from Spain But the Duke of Enguien knew that the Hollanders were afraid of nothing so much as of having the French to be their Neighbours and that they would rather make a Peace and Confederate themselves with the Spaniards tho their Natural Enemies then endure that France should extend her Conquests over those Places which serve as Barricades between the Spanish Territories and those of the Vnited Provinces Moreover it was impossible to take either Gravelin or Dunkirk without a Fleet Nor were the Kings Fleets in a Condition to keep the Sea So that there wanted both Time Money and Negotiations to vanquish the Mistrusts and Jealousies of the States-General and engage em to lend their Ships so that the Duke gave over that Design There remainâ—d Two other Places the Scheldt and the Moselle The first was very difficult in regard the Remains of the shatter'd Spanish Army were got thither besides that the French had no Magazines on that side The last Design was of great Importance toward the Conquest of Flanders because Thionville and all the other places upon the Moselle opend an Entrance for the German Armies into Flanders So that the Duke not being in a Condition to take Sea Towns could not undertake any thing more Advantageous then the Siege of Thionville to the end that by possessing himself of this Place he might hinder the Enemies Communication between Germany and Flanders and by this Conquest settle the posture of his Affairs against the next Campaign for greater Enterprizes It was easie to furnish his Army with Subsistance on that side next Champaign All Preparations necessary for a great Siege had been Stord up there during the Winter The Deceasd King had caus'd Provision and Ammunition to be transported thither with a Design to carry the War into Frâ—nche Conte and Marshal de Meilleray was to have undertaken that Enterprize But the Kings Death having overturnd all those Projects and the Army in Italy being too weak to keep the Field Meilleray's Forces were parted into Two Bodies One part pass'd the Alps under Viscount Turenne and the other commanded by the Marquiss de Gesvres servd under the Duke Nevertheless it requir'd time to fetch out of Burgundy and Champaign all the Ammunition and Train of Artillety And therefore the Duke would not encline toward Thionville for fear General Beck should reinforce it with Men. The Prince therefore Marchd into the middle of Flanders on purpose to alarum the Principal Cities and to oblige the Enemy to strengthen the Garisons his Designs being to return the same way he came and to sit down unexpected before Thionville To this purpose he dispatchd away St. Martin Lieutenant of the Artillery with Order to bring Ammunition to the Frontiers of Champaign
next Morning to see the Bavarian Entrenching themselves upon the Mountain next to Friburgh the Camp deserted and the Fort quitted The Duke seeing that Turenne's Men had spread â—hemselves over the Plain came down with his Army but no sooner had he a near view of the â—everal Places but the thundring from the Bavaâ—iâ—ns new Camp gave him to understand that they â—ad wholly possess'd themselves of the Mountain â—djoining to Friburgh Thereupon the D. not a little â—exed to have miss'd in his Enterprise order'd his Army to be drawn up in Battalia notwithstandâ—ng it had Rained hard all that Night But finding his Men wearyd with their hard Duty the day before and the bad Weather he deferr'd driving the Enemy from their new Entreâ—chments till the next day Soâ— that the Army had all that day and the next night to rest themselves Upon the Right Hand of Friburgh coming from â—â—isack lies a Mountain which is not so extreamly rugged for above the third part of the Highth but afterwards becomes very steep Yet when you come to the Top there is a wide space of level Ground sufficient for the drawing up Three or Four Thoâ—sand Men in good Order of Battel At the end of this little Plain stood also certain Ruins of a Tower at the Foot of which the Highest Mountain of the Black Forest rises insensibly But in regard that as it rises it runs very far backward the Highest part of it commands but very little over the Plain Mercy had posted the greatest part of his Infantry in the Parts adjoining to the Tower the rest was Encamp'd behind a Wood approaching to Friburgh His Cavalry was planted all along from the Wood to the Walls of the City In short that General had as well managd the Advantages of his Ground in that Place as the former He had also added for the Defence of it all the Inventions which the Art of War and the Conveniâ—â—cies of the Wood could afford him in so little time The Lines which he had cast up during thâ— Siege serv'd him in part to enclose his new Camâ— so that he had no need of â—ortifying any more 〈◊〉 that part which lookt toward the Vally where 〈◊〉 layd rows of Trees with their Bows entangleâ— one within another and his choicest Infantry laâ— behind this Entrenchment supported by his Cavalrâ— the Squadrons of which possess'd all the Ground beâ—tween the Row of Trees and the City So soon as it was Day the Duke advanc'd to thâ— Foot of the Mountain where Mercy lay entrench'd and in his March took in some Redoubts which were still guarded in the Vally by the Enemies Dragoons Turenne's Army had the Vanguard that day and was to make the greatest Onset D' 〈◊〉 Lieutenant General commanded the Infantryâ— L' Eschelâ—e march'd at the Head of all the rest with a Thousand Musketeers drawn out of both Armies and his Buâ—iness it was to attack the entrance that cover'd the biggest Body of the Bavarian Footâ— next the ruin'd Tower which was the place most easie of Access to get at ' em For which reasonâ— Turenne caus'd all the Canon of the Weymarians to be drawn on that side The Dukes Body of Infantry commanded by Espenan was commanded to force the Trees Between these two Attacks also there was a false Assault to be made with a few Men only to favour the real Onset Marshal Grammont had likewise Orders to keep himself drawn up in Battel array in the Plain with the Cavalry to act as the Success should direct him The Bavarians Camp afforded 'em great Advantages whither it were to defend themselves or attack the Enemy One of their Wings was supported by the Canon and Small-Shot of the Cityâ— the other was posted upon a Mountain the Heighthâ— of which alone was sufficient to secure the Forces â—â—at poâ—sess'd it But they had too large an exâ—â—nt of Entrenchment to defend that the Infantry â—â—ch weakn'd by the Hardships of the Siege and 〈◊〉 preceding Combats was not sufficient to guard 〈◊〉 Camp â— ' Eschelle began already to play with the Artiâ—â—â—â— of his Attack never staying for the Arrival 〈◊〉 the Rear-â—uard or the Signal of Battel tho 〈◊〉 Duke had commanded that all the Attacks and â—nsets should be given together Besides that â— ' Eschelle had Orders not to March up to the Eneâ—y till he heard the noise of the Musquets toward â—â—e Treâ—s and toward the false Attack in the midle But an Accident not to be fore-seen as freâ—uently it happens in the best consulted Contriâ—ances of Warâ— overturned all the Dukes Orders â—nd sav'd the Bavarians from a Total Defeat For while the Rear-guard was expected which â—ould not come up so soon by reason of the badâ—ess of the ways the Duke attended by Turenne â—nd Gâ—aâ—ment was got up to the top of the highest â—ountain to discover the Rear of the Enemies â—rmy and observe their Order of Battel In his â—bsence Espenan detach'd some men to make a â—alse Attack upon a small Redoubt that lay in hâ—s â—ay to the Enemy And tho he sent but very few â—en at first both sides were insensibly engag'd in a â—oody â—ight while the Bavarians seconded those â—hat defended the Fort and Espenan reliev'd those â—hat attack'd it insomuch that it came to a very 〈◊〉 Câ—nflict in that part Upon the noise of which â— ' Eschelle thought it high time for him to begin his â—ssault and his Errour ranvers'd all the Designs of â—he Day The Duke beholding the Enemies firing from the â—op of the Mountain rightly judgd that Espenan â—nd L' Eschelle had made a mistake and that his â—rders had not been obey'd So that he ran into the very thickest of the Engagement where 〈◊〉 found L'Eschelle slain and his men neither darinâ— to fight nor retreat â—or remedy of this Disorder he commanded Tournon to put himself at the 〈◊〉 of the astonish'd Souldiers and to assuâ—e â—em thaâ— he himself would second 'em with a Powerfâ—â— Succour Thus the Preâ—ence of the Prince giving new Lifâ— to the Souldiers the Baâ—â—rian Infantry began 〈◊〉 totter two Battallions and that which defendeâ— the Entrenchment began to Face about with theiâ— Colours and giâ—e all the marks of men that weâ—â— just ready to beâ—â—ke themselves to their Heels Buâ— they that were next the Line fir'd so furioâ—sly thâ—â— the Frâ—nch Infantry were quiâ—e dishearten'd they that were farâ—hest off began to retreat the 〈◊〉 were in a terrible fright and the Officers also began to give ground In vain the Generals told 'em of the Disorder which they beheld in the Bavarian Camp they press 'em threaten 'em and drag 'em back to the Fight But when a panick dread has once seiz'd upon a Souldier he neither seeâ— nor hears any longer either the Example or the Orders of his Generalâ— so that the Duke was forc'd to give over the Attack and draw off his Men and in this Action the Prinâ—e and all that attended him were in very great danger
For he was still 〈◊〉 Horseback not above Thirty Yards distance from the Enemies Entrenchments So that of Twenty Men that were about his Person there was not one that did not carry away some marks of the danger to which he was expos'd The Duke himself had the Pommel of his Saddle taâ—en off with a Canon Bullet and the Scabbord of his Sword was broken with a Musket Shot Grammont had his Horse kill'd under him and all the rest were wounded Nevertheless this Accidenâ— did no way dishearten the Prince so that he only alter'd the design of this Attack and instead of making his greatest Onseâ— upon the Lines as he had resolvd in the Morning he order'd the most furious Onset to be given upon the Entrenchment of Trees To that purpose D' Aumont was commanded to keep the Bavarians in Play with the Souldiers which had fought already causing a Diversion thereby in the same place where the first Onset had ill succeeded The Duke and Turenne with the whole Body of the Infantry lead by Mauvilli supporâ—ed by the Gensd'armes and Roze's Cavalry march'd directly to the Entrenchment of Trees Scarce were the foremost Ranks of this new Atâ—ack enter'd into the Wood but the Bavarians fir'd with an extraordinary fury nevertheless the French advanc'd in very good Order with a Resolution to try whether they could force the Entâ—enchments of Trees or no. And the fight was so obstinate that after they had been driven back severâ—l times and several times had repuls'd the French at length Gasper de Mercy Major General of the Cavalry was forc'd to make his Horsemen alight to second his Infantry that began to give Ground Upon that the Dispute grew hotter then before and both Parties firâ—d with so much Fury that the Noise and the Smoâ—k put all things into â—onfâ—sion so that they could not distinguish one another but by the Flashes of the Artillery and Small Shot All the surrounding Woods and Forests bâ—llow'd forth most dreadful Eccho's and augmented the Horrour of the Battel The Souldiers were so bloodily eager the one to force the other to defend the Entrenchment that if Night had not parted 'em there had been one of the most deadly Slaughters thaâ— had been in our days The French Gendâ—râ—eriâ— perform'd a very noble Exploit at that time They were commanded by Boulay who led on the Squadrons to the very brink of the Entrenchmenâ— and maâ—gâ—e the Enemies furious firing fought a long time within Pistolâ— Shot Never was so desperate a Combat where without grappling Hand to Hand so many fell upon the spot on both sides The French in this Conflict lost Maâ—villy and the Bavarians Gaspaâ—â—â— Meâ—cy their General 's Brother After this the Duke having brought back his Army into the Camp layd aside all other thoughts but those of cutting off the Bavarians Provisions to the end he might enforce 'em to quit so Advantageous a Post. To that purpose he gave his Men four days time to refresh themselves and the woâ—nded of which there was a great number wâ—re sent away to â—risach that there might be nothing left in the Camp which might retard the Design which the Duke had contriv'd in his Mind The Mountains of the Black Forest derive their Original from the Mountains of Switzerland and follow the Course of the Rhim till they join with the Hills that lye upon the Banks of the Neâ—â—â— These Mountains are very long and more or less broad according to the Countries where they â—xtend themselves but their widest breadth is from Friburgh to Filinghen about ten or twelve Leâ—gâ—es There is no way of Communication between these two Cities but through a Vally which is very narrow and very Incommodious for the marching of an Army Nevertheless this was the Part through which Mercy in all probability would make his Retreat Which nevertheless he would not presume to do in view of the French Army â—o that the Duke of Enguien was of Opinion that 〈◊〉 intercepting this way between Friburgh and Fiâ—inghen he should cut him off from his Provision and Forâ—ge and thereby câ—nstrain him to a General Battel or to retreâ—t in Disorder With this Resolution the Ninth of August the Prince caus'd his Army to march toward Langsdelinghâ—n a Village â—eated in the most easie place of Aâ—â—ess in all those Mountains This Place was very proper to annoy the Bavarians or to fight 'em in their Retreat For as for the Duke he could have Provisions from Brisack in case he advanc'd any fâ—rther among the Mountains But the Road which gave him entrance into this Valley was extremely difficult by reason of the Boggs of which the Woods are full Besides that the Front of the Army being once engagd in these Woods and having pass'd the Rivolet that runs along by 'em the Rear-guard would be expos'd to the Bavarians without any possibility of being reliev'd by their own Men. The Dâ—ke therefore took all the Precaution which the Advantages of the Ground and the Presence of a vigilant Enemy requir'd To this purpose in regard the Horse could not march but one and one and for that many times the men were forc'd to alight and lead their Horses the Prince order'd a great body of Infantry at the Tayl of the Army to support the Rear of his Cavalry he also plac'd little Bodies of Musketeers upon the Wings to defend the Passes through which the Bavarians might come to charge ' em By break of day Turenne set forward with his Army which compos'd the Vanguard that day The D. took care to bring up the Rear and kept himself in view of Mercy 's Army till all his Men were past and after he had in this manner cross'd the Woods and Boggs rejoin'd his Vanguard at Langsdelinghen the Bavarians not making the least attempt to dispute his Passage over the River or his Entrance into the Wood. Mercy observing the March of the French readily apprehended their design and as he was one of the most politick Generals in the World he presently judg'd that his safety consisted in preventing the Duke and not in disputing the Incumbrances of the Pass Nor indeed had he more then just so much time to retreat before the foremost Troops of the French Vanguard could overtake him and doubtless this was that which hinderd him from falling upon their Râ—â—r Therefore so soon as he saw the French upon their March he decampd his Army keeping the top of thâ— Mountains and ordering his Baggage to be conducted through St. Peter's Valley which leads toward Filinghen Upon notice of Mercy 's March the Duke hasten'd his own as much as it was possible But he had Mountains almost inaccessible to cross that he might shorten his way besides that his Men were extreamly tir'd For which reason he was enforcd to deâ—ach Roze with all speed only with eight hundred Horse to amuse the Bavarians and disturb 'em in their Retreat while the rest of his Army pass'd the Defiles Roze perform'd his
Orders vigorously and began to Skirmish with the Bavarians near St. Peter's Abbyâ— and so soon as he had overtaken the Bavarians â— he gave notice to the Duke that he was at their Heels In the mean while the French Army passd File after File through a very narrow Valley at the end of which they were to ascend to the top of a very high Mountain and withal so steep and cover'd with Wood that there was no going forward but for one single Man at a time Nevertheless the Duke surmounted all these difficulties and his Vanguard was no sooner got to the top of the Mountain but he discover'd the Bavarians in Battaliâ— and Roze close at the Heels of their Rear Now to go from the Mountain where the Head of Eâ—gâ—in's Army stopp'd to the place where the Bavâ—â—â—â—ns were posted there was a necessity of passing two Defiles in the midst of which was a space widâ— enough to contain four Squadrons but before â—ou could get at it there was a Descent through a â—ery narrow Hollow way and then an Ascent again more difficult then the former which gave an Enâ—rance into the Plain where Roze skirmisâ—'d with the Enemies Rereguard Mercy no sooner discover'd the foremost Battallion of the French Vanguard upon the top of the Mountain but he rightly judg'd that the whole Army was behind And in regard that Roze very much disturb'd the hindmost part of his Rear he resolv'd to make a push for it that he might rid himself of so great an Incumbrance before the Duke got any nearer to him and had Men â—now to second him and that he might do his Business all at once he whell'd about to the Right with his whole Army and marchd directly against Roze's Cavalry But Roze instead of retiring speedily into the Defile rally'd his Squadrons togeâ—her and daringly stood the whole Bavarian Army in the Plain He had the Enemies Army and the Plain before him on the Right Hand the Great High Road to â—â—lingâ—en crowded with the Bavarian Baggage upon the Left a vast Precipiâ—e and behind him the Defile through which he was to rejoyn the Duke Presently Roze detach'd one of his Squadrons to cut the Harness of the Horses that drew the Carriâ—ge Waggons and with the rest he advanc'd to charge the foremost Squadrons of the Bavarian Army But to preserve the Defile open and free to himself he left four Squadrons to guard it behind the Rear of which he retreated after he had made-three Chargâ—s upon the Enemy Those four Squadrons sustain'd the shock of the Bavarians till the rest of their Cavalry enter'd Pell Mell into the Defile At length Roze left no more then two of the four Squadrons to defend the Pass who after an incredible Resistance seeing their Fellows out of danger threw themselves into the Precipice upon the Left Hand through Places that never had been pass'd before by Men nor Horses This was a vigorous Action of Roze and manag'd with all the Art which it was possible to puâ— in practice in so great a danger But it was impossible for him to have escap'd if Mercy had noâ— discover'd upon the Neighbouring Mountains the Bodies that drew into Order by degrees and that the Duke was advancing to second Roze's Cavalry For in regard he was afraid of nothing so much as of coming to a General Battel he rather chose to let those Squadrons escape then enter too far into the Defile In a word the Duke observing from the Top of the Hill this valiant Action of Roze and what a Condition he was in had rally'd as many Men as he could get together about his Person with a Resolution to bring him off He was already got within the space of enclos'd Ground between the two Defiles at what time Rozâ— rejoyn'd him And thus the Resolution of the Duke and the Prudence of Mercy were in part the cause of that Honour which Roze acquir'd by his Retreat Mercy at the same instant began to make his Retreat likewise but withal that good Order which could be expected from a Great Captain who would never be constrain'd to a Battel and understood how to take his Advantages when opportunity offer'd ' em Nevertheless he quitted his Artillery and his Baggage and leaving some Dragoons to dispute the Passage out of the Defile hâ—â— march'd with that speed throâ—â—h the High Road to Filinghen that the French Army lost sight of him in a moment While Mercy thought of nothing else but to hasten and secure his Retreat the Duke rally'd his Men together with a Resolution to follow him but it prov'd a thing so difficult to do that before he could get his Army in a Body together the Bavarian had gaiâ—'d above a League of Ground before him There is a Mountain between St. Peter's and Filinghen much higher then any of the rest at the top of which there is a level sufficient to contain an Army drawn up in Battalia and which commands all the Hills round about The Water the Pastâ—â—â—ge and the Fertilty of the Soyl which is every wherâ— manur'd under that place both very Commodious and very Secure to Encamp in They who were acquainted with the Country made no question but Mercy would have pitch'd his Tents thereâ— which made the Duke to hasten his March with all Dilligence Nevertheless when the Advanc'd Curriers of the French Vanguard were got to the top of Holgâ—â—ve for so the place is call'd they found that the Bavarians after they had only broke Ground in Order to Entrench were advancd farther with more haste then the French could follow ' em Thereupon the Duke being quite out of hopes to overtake 'em return'd the same way he came and â—ncampd at St. Peter's Abby His Men were so tird that he was constraind to let 'em rest the next day while they burnt the Bavarians â— Baggage and brought away their Canon and two Morters which the Bavarians left behind ' em The next day he took in a little Castle seated upon the Mountaiâ—s and which might prove serviceable to his Designs and sent the Count of Tournon to convey the Artillery to Brisack Thus the Retreat of Coll. Roze was the last remarkable Action perform'd at the Battle of Friburgh which is more properly to be call'd a series of several bloody Conflicts then a pitch'd Battel On the one side was to be observ'd a Courage which not being to be daunted either with the badness of the Weather nor the disadvantages of Ground hazards all for Victory and proves Victorious at length On the other side behold a Prudence which nothing could shake that made the best of every thing for defence yet still accompany'd with extraordinary Valour It is a difficult thing to judge which of the two merited most Honourâ— Whither he that attackt an Army entrench'd in places almost inaccessible and forc'd â—em to quit their Holds or He that preserv'd a resolute and undaunted Judgement in a long Retreat in view of a
Restless Urging and Victorious Enemy and at length made choice of a Post from whence he could never be forc'd However this may be truly said that a General who quits his Artillery and Baggage may be said to be beaten and that the Honour of the Retreat cannot be thought to be compleat unless he saves all It may be also said that all Mercy 's Prudence could never have preservâ—d him from a Total Rout had it not been for the Error which Espenan and L' Eschelle committed in the Execution of the Duke's Orders In short it so falls out for the most part that an Army which Vigorously Attacks an Enemy in his Trenches has generally the Advantage of him that defends ' em After the Duke of Enguien had sent away the Count of Tournon he return'd toward Landsdelinghen where his Cannon and Baggage stay'd for him And then he thought of nothing more then of what Advantages he might make by Mercy 's Retreat 'T was the opinion of the Principal Officers that he should retake Friburgh that their March into Germany was only to relieve that Place and consequently it ought to be the first Fruits of their Victory That the Bavarians had not been able to level their Lines that they were already far remote that there was but a slender Garrison in the Place ill provided of all things and terrifi'd with the ill Success of the Combats which they had beheld from their own Ramparts But the Duke was of Opinion that 't was of greater Consequence to undertake the Siege of Philipsburgh the other Design not appearing Great enough at the end of a Campaign which it behov'd him to crown with some Exploit much more Illustriousâ— Besides that by bounding his Conquests with the taking of Friburgh the Arms of France would be no farther advancd into the Country and would be also constraind to repass the Rhine to take up their Winter Quarters in Alsatia Not but that the Siege of Philipsburgh was extremely difficult in regard it requir'd a long March to lie down before it because the Infantry was much lessend in number and for that their Mony was spent and Provisions were to be brought a great way but the Duke contemning these Difficulties the Siege of Philipsburgh was resolvd upon To that purpose he sent Champlastreux the Intendant of his Army to Brisack to bring away ten battering Pieces in Boats which would be also farther serviceable to lay a Bridge over the Rhine Champlastreux who was both Active and understood his Business soon dispatchd away those Preparations and the Prince set forward from Langsdelinghen the 16 th of August with his whole Army and March'd along by the Rhine after he had sent Tuâ—al before with one part of the Weymarian Cavalry some Musqueteers and some Dragoons Roze followâ—d Tubal with the remainder of the Weymarians the Duke reserving to himself the leading of the Infantry of both Armies and the French Cavalry In this Order he march'd toward a Castle seated five or six Miles from Strasburgh fortifi'd with Towers after the ancient manner and defended with a good Moat full of Water which he took by the way to secure himself of a Communication with Strasburgh From thence he advanc'd to Kupenheim which Roze had taken as he march'd alongâ— Tuball had also possess'd himself of Ethinguen Forsen Bretten Durlack Baden Pruessel and Willock small Villages enclos'd with Moats the most of which had Castles also belong'd to ' em And Turenne went on and invested Philipsburgh it â—elf with three Thousand Horse and seven Hundred Foot and the Duke arriv'd before the Place in ten days March from Langsdelinghen Philipsburgh is Seated near the Rhine upon the Confines of the Dutchy of Wirtemberg and in the lower Palatinate three Leaguâ—s fâ—om Spire From Brisack to Hermestein there is not any strong Hold but Philipsburgh It was formerly calld Vdenheim and was the Seat belonging to the Bishops of Spire and the Troubles of Germany insensibly constrain'd the Bishops to fortifie it But when they had put it into a condition to defend it self it remain'd no longer in their Hands For the Imperialists and afterwards the Swedes made themselves masters of it the French also possess'd it for some timeâ— but afterwards it returnd under the Emperors Dominion To this Town belongs a Fort which commands the Rhine and which Communicates with the City by means of a Causey six foot broad and eight hundred foot long Over against Philipsburgh the River forms a large Elbow and causes a great many Boggs round about half the Place The Fortiâ—ication is only of Earth but the Ramparts are very thick It is surrounded with large and deep Moats nor is there any more then one way to aâ—â—roach it and the Body of the Place is composd of sevenâ— Bastions almost regular The Berm is so large that it serves for a false Bray and this Bâ—â—â— is secur'd by a Quick-set Hedge very thick The Moat is full of Water two hundred foot wide and four fadom deep with a Counterscarp well Pallisado'd On that side next the Elbow which the Rhine makes there is only a Bogg cover'd with Wood in some parts on the other side the Ground is somewhat higher and intermix'd with Heath Wood and Ploughd Fields When the Duke invested it Bamberg was Governourâ— the Garrison was compos'd of two hundred Horse and five hundred Foot there were a hundred pieces of Canon mounted and Ammunition sufficient for a long Siege After the Duke had view'd the most Advantageous Places to secure his Circumvallation he spent the rest of the day in taking his Posts and appointed the Night for attacking the Fort upon the Rhine The French Army took up their Quarters from Kâ—audenheime to a River that Waters the Plain half-way from Rheinhausen and the German Army was posted from the River to Rheinhausen Night being come the Souldiers prepar'd to Storm the Fort. The Duke march'd thither through the Woods while Tuâ—ennne approachd it over small Damms that are rais'd athwart the Mersh But the Duke could not get thither till break of day because the way he had chose was long and difficult Bamberg not having Foot sufficient sent for into the Town both the Men and every thing else that was provided for the defence of the Fort so that Turenne finding it quitted took Possession of it and fortifid it with all things necessary against the Attacks of the City After that the Duke minded nothing but to secure his Circumvallation He caus'd Forts and Redoubts to be rais'd in all places where the Ground was proper and cut down the Trees in the Boggs to stop up the High-ways Turenne met not with so many Obstacles in the Fortifying his Quarters for he made use of a great Flood of Water that ran along from one end of his Camp to the other which he made a good defence by adding a Parapet to it So that the Circumvallation was finish'd in four days and the Camp enclosd on all
prepar'd themselves for a stout Defence but they were constraiâ—d to give way to the Vigorous Onsets of the Besâ—egers and surrender'd upon Composition While Erlac made these lesser Progresses Turenne acted with Success against the Imperialists 'T is true that the Advantages which he won at the beginning of the Campaigne were attended with a sad Event for in regard he thought he had no reason to fear his being attack'd by those he had so vigorously driven before him and that he thought 'em a great way off he was all of a suddain assail'd by Mercy who was one of the most experienc'd most vigilant most piercing and most politick Captains that ever were Mercy then surprisâ—d Marshal Turenne near Mariendal where the Kingâ—s Quarters were and the Marshal was beaten before he could joyâ—n his Men. But certain it is that if Turenne committed a fault in suffering himself to be surpriz'd he made amends for it with as much Honour as it was possible For by that presence of Mind which made him find out Remedies in Conjunctures more difficult and more imminent Dangers he made a very Honourable Retreat still defending himself with a Heroick Bravery and Conduct till he got to the Passage of the Rhine and fighting rather like a Victor then Vanquishd But the loss which France sustaind by that Ill Success was more Advantageously repair'd by the D. of Enguien who was sent into Germany in Iune The Prince's Presence gave new Confidence to the French who were something terrifi'd and infus'dâ— into 'em that Courage that Boldness and Resolution as prepar'd 'em for the most difficult Undertakings and put 'em into the greatest Hopes So soon as he arriv'd he possess'd himself of several Places which gave a free Passage over the Rhine and made himself Master of Wimphen a little City seated upon the Necker And at this time it was that he fought the Battel of Norling according to the following Account The Loss which the French had sustain'd by the Battel of Mariendal was soon repair'd by the Duke of Enguien who was sent into Germany a little while after The Presence of the Young Prince who had won so many Victories not only enlivend the Courage of the French but so hotly alarum'd the Imperialists that at first they knew not what Course to take and the Prince made the best of the Terrâ—ur which he had struck into the Enemy Immediately he seiz'd upon the most considerable Places upon the Rhine and cast the Enemy into a perfect Consternation by the taking of Wimphen and Roâ—tambuâ—gh But in regard he design'd a Nobler Expeditionâ— to make himself Master of Heilbrun he thought it behov'd him to do all he could to weaken the Bavarian Army which would â—e still opposing his Enterprises So that without consulting any farther after he had prepard every thing ready he fell upon the Enemy who lay Encamp'd upâ—n several Hillocks between Wending and Norling Marshal Grammont commanded the Right Wing where was the French Cavalry with Arnaut Camp-Master General of the Carbines Turenne leâ— the Left Wing where was all the German Cavalry Beltenâ—ve Marsin and the Marquiss of Castelâ—aâ— commanded the Foot between the Wings Major General Geis and â—câ—in commanded the Second Line compos'd of two Regiments of Turenne's six of Foot and twelve of Horse that were all Hessians which were reunited with the Dukes And the Body of the Reserve was commanded by Chabot The Bavarians who as I have already said were Posted upon several rising Grounds no sooner perceiv'd the Approach of the D's Army but they placed themselves very advantageously under a Mountain for on the one side they had a Village that stood in the Plain and on the other a Castle where they had already put their Canon and some Infantry Now in regard that from the Village to the Mountain there was an easie Ascent for an Army embattell'd the Duke had a Design in the first place to make himself Master of that Post as soon as an opportunity should present it self Nevertheless the Enterprise was not so easie for there was a necessity of passing between the three Flanks of the Mountain the Castle and the Village which he design'd to take But being resolv'd upon it whatsoever Risco he ran he undertook to make an Onset with the Infanâ—ry only to the end that as he drave the Enemy from the Place he had an Eye upon the two Wings which march'd towards their Cavalry might receive no Annoyance from the Bavarians but that on the other side they might advance under the Favour of their own Men's Firing There was also another Inconvenience which was to be remedy'd for there was a necessity of assayâ—ing the Village in Flank and it was to be fear'd leaâ—t the Men who made the Onset should be beaâ—en by those that stood at the top of the Mountain of the Bavarians so that they push'd forward into the Plain and were going to fall upon the French Baggage when a German Regiment not only 〈◊〉 'em but gaveâ— em chase The French also were in a kind of Disorder iâ—somuch that 't was greatly to be fear'd tâ—ey 〈◊〉 loose the Victory The Right Wing was uâ—terâ—y broken in regard they had made no Resâ—stâ—â—â— being vanquish'd almost without striking a 〈◊〉 But Turenne with the first Line of the Lâ—ft Winâ— which he commanded broke into the â—irst â—iâ—e of the Enemies Right Wing tho much more nâ—â—erous then his which had been extremely 〈◊〉 by the continual firing of the Bavâ—riâ—n Inâ—anâ—ry and by that means he made amends in some sort â—or the Cowardice of the French Souldiers The sâ—coâ—â— Line of the Enemies put themselves at the saâ—â— Instant in a Condition to second their â—irâ—t aâ—â— chargd some Squadrons in the Flank but aâ—â—â—his nothing terrifid Turenne In the mean time 〈◊〉 Enemies began to make their best of some little Advantage which they might have had if Tureâ—ne hâ—d been left to himself But the Duke having spyd him in that Condition advanc'd all of a suddain with his second Line and having rally'd the â—irst with all the speed imaginable He and Turenne charg'd the Enâ—my both at the same time and having broken soâ—e of their Squadrons put all their Troops in Disordeâ—â— Here the Duke having perform'd all the Dâ—ties of a private Souldier as well as of a great Captainâ— was shot in the Elbow with a Pistol Bâ—llet which however did not hinder him from actâ—ng It may be said that till then there had been only some slight Skirmishes tho there had already beeâ— a great deal of Blood spilt and a great many Oâ—â—icers of Note Slain on both Sides But because they found it necessary to come to a General Battelâ— the Bavarians having brought down their Body of Reserve and the Troops which had broken the Right Wing that Turenne seconded the Duke order'd the Heâ—sians to advance together with his own Infantry and Cavalry and march'd himself at the Head of 'em â—â—ainst the Enemy The
Dispute was obstinate and bloody for two hours together and during that time there was no Quarter given on either side They â—â—ught on both sides with so much valour and equality of Advantage that it was a difficult thing while the heat of the Combat lasted to judge which way the Victory would encline but at last it fell to the Duke One part of the Enemy was cut to pieces the other routed and put to flight The Baâ—arians lost four thousand Men in this Battel â—Tis true that it cost the Duke fifteen hundred counting in the wounded but withal he got fifteen pieces of Canon took forty Colours and a great number of Prisoners of which He was forcâ—d to release the greatest part because he could not keep 'em without great Inconvenience to his own Army But that which compleated this Victory was the taking of Gleen General of the Imperial Army who was afterwards exchang'd for Marshal Grammont and the Death of General Mercy one of the greatest Captains oâ— his Age. That very Mercy of whom the Duke himself and Turenne gave that Honorable Testimony that it was he alone who for along time sustain'd the tottering Imperial Troops that he had never been surpriz'd in any Irregular Motionâ— that he had never lost a favourable opportuniâ—y nor ever fail'd of preventing the taking of any as if he had been present in their Councils In a word this Loss of the Bavarians was so great that it seemd at first as if the Prosperity of their Army had expir'd with their General And certain it is that that same Body which had so many times signaliz'd themselves never after that mov'd as it wâ—nt to do day with his and the D. of Enguien march'd another way with his men toward the General Rendevoâ—z The D. of Lorrains Army had already passd the Scheld with a Resolution to oppose the Designs of the D. of Orleance and D. of Enguien But so soon as he understood that the three Bodies of the French Army were marching directly toward him he repass'd the River at Montagne in expectation of Pâ—colomini Beck and Sambry that were to join him But tho that Army were five and twenty thousand strong tho it coasted all along in view the March of the French Army and that it were already posted along the River under the Walls of Tournay the French however forbore not to advance a little below the same place and to seize upon a Pass over the Scheld over against Trinity Mount That Pass gave the French an easie opportunity to attack Tournay or Oudenara But the difficulty was how to pass the River in view of a powerful Army which in all probability would not sit still and look on Nevertheless at a Council of War all the General Officers concluded that there was necessity for 'em to attempt the Passage The only difficulty they met with was to secure the Convoys but the D. of Engâ—iâ—â— had already found out a Remedy for that For he had attack'd the Castle of Lannoy seated between Tournay and L'â—â—â—â— and took it in a days time Which being done all their Conveys were securd and they had no more to do but to put their Resolutions in Execution But upon a suddain the D. of Orleance alterd his Design and concluded upon the Siege of Courtray First of all the two Brigades led by Gassion and Ranzau got before the Place and invested on both sides the Riâ—er 〈◊〉 upon which it was seated till the D. of Eâ—guien came up with his Army on that side next â—o Moncouron and Rolingue But the little Care they â—ook to Invest it â—etimes gave the Enemy leisure to put a considerable Succour into the Town Delponâ—â—â— a 〈◊〉 in great â—epute for holding out of Townsâ— got in with his own Regiment and twelve Companys of Footâ— however all this did but animate the French Generals so much the more The next day the Trenches were open'd but the Neighbourhood of the Enemy so near the Trenches was the reason that the Besiegers were in continual fears of being surpriz'd The Enemy also made some motions And the Duke of Enguien gave notioâ—â— the same day that the Trenches were open'd that the Spanish Army was advanc'd very near his Camp with a design to fight him Thereupon one part of the French Army drew off and prepard to meet the Spaniards who were constrain'd to retreat a long by the Scheldt into their first Entrenchments After their Retreate Enguien joyn'd Gasson and Ranzau to the end they might invest the Town with more ease and assurance All the French Forces being reunited the Circumvallation was begunâ— and finish'd in less then four days tho it took up almost five Leagues in Compass in reguard that both Horse as well as Foot were set to work Orleans with Ranzaâ—'s Men took up his Quarter beyond the Liâ— and on that side next to Flanders from one end of the City to the other and he had his Communication with the Quarters of Enguien and Gassâ—on by means of several bridges laâ—'d over the River Enguien took up his Quarter on this side the River from Orleance's Quarter to Gassion's on that side next Tournay and Gassion from Enguien's to Orleancâ—'s on that side next Audenard and Gand. The Circumvallation as I have already said was so vast that the French Armies were not numerous enough to guard the whole extent of it so that there were many void â—paces through which the Spaniards might have put Reâ—ieâ— into the Town had not the spaces been inâ—loâ—'d with a Line supported and dâ—fended with a great number of Redoubts 'T was thought by the Besiegers that by this means they had removed the Enemy so far off that it would be impossible for him to come on But Charles the IV. Duke or Lorrain in a sit of Dispair usual with unfortunate Heros advanc'd with all his Army leaving his Baggage behind him and posted himself within Canon Shot of the French Camp making a shew as if he would attack ' em And had they march'd directly against the Duke of Lorrain as it was Enguiens advice they had doubtless given him a total Defeat But Orleance did not relish that Counsel whose opinion it was that they should only mind reducing the Town without running any hazard So that every Quarter entrench'd themselves and went on with the Siege tho very slowly by reason that Lorâ—ain's Army gave fresh Alarums every moment In the mean time Lorrain being forcd to retreat upon the news which was brought him that the Hollanders had taken the Field and his Presence was necessary in the Neighbourhood to those Quarters where they were drawn together endeavour'd before his departure to put some considerable relief into the Town But the attempt prov'd fruitless and cost him also a World of Men which extreamly abated the Courage of the Besieged who flatter'd themselves with being reliev'd At the same time Gassion attack'd a Half-Moon and carryd it Enguien also having open'd his
Lamboy and Caracena and taken the City of Furnes he could not consent to retreate the Winter being yet at some distanceâ— but form'd designs befitting his Reputation and his Fortune For so long as the Spaniards who knew that the loss of a General Battle would be the total Ruine of Flanders refus'd to put it to the venture and that there was no other way to continue the War but by Seiges the Prince resolv'd to undertake one more this Year and to that purpose calld his Council together to consult which place he should fall upon and all opinions were reducd to two either Menene or Dunkirk Menene is a Town seated upon the Lis between Armentiers and Courtray in a Fertil and Pleasant Country famous for the Trade it drove formerly in Coâ—â— and â—eer and which boasts her Original 〈…〉 and we had fortunately won 〈…〉 Gassion afterwards thought fit to 〈…〉 and by his care it was put into a Condition able to â—â—stain the Siege of a great Army when Câ—â—â—cena surprizd it rather through the weakness of the Garrison then for any defect of the Place They who were for regaining it alledg'd That was absolâ—tely necessary to joyn those places which we held uâ—on the Lisâ— That Menene being in the Enemies hands 〈◊〉 Convoys to Courtray could never go saâ—e that it woâ—ld râ—quire a whole Army to bridle that one City On the other side that if we had it in our own hands Provisioâ—s might be â—arryd up the River with little danger and expenceâ— that we should be in a condition to make farther Proposalsâ— without leaving any thing behind to give us annoyance that Armentieres and Courtray would facilitâ—te the conveâ—iâ—ncies of the Siege that it was not fitting to suffer an Enemy in the midst of our strong Holds and lastly that it was for the Honour of the Nation to preserve by our Armsâ— what our Arms had acquir'd us These Reasons were plausible and solid in appearance but they who did not approve 'em argu'd after this manner That the Siege of Menene requir'd the crossing of several Countries and to undertake a hasty march to prevent the Enemies Diligence and to be at leisure to entrench themselves before the whole Army could joyn which appear'd the less feasible because their Forces encamp'd about Newport near Furnes they were always restless to know our designs and that they were ready to follow us which way soever we bent our march Moreover the Siege of Courtray accomplishd in view of the Enemy with continâ—â—l hardships the Succours sent away to the Hollanders during a violent heat beyond the Nature of the Climate in a Country open and without water unless that of Câ—nals and stinking Mershes bitter and noysome our qâ—ick march toward the Sea Coast the taking of Berguen the Siege of Mardike the Expedition against Furnes had almost render'd the Army unfit for Service On the other side the Enemy having undertaken no Siege keeping themselves the best part of the Summer under the shelter of their City abounding in all sorts of conveniencies and Provisions were as fresh as when they first quitted their Garrisons and were in a condition rather to get before us to Menene then to follow us but tho we were assur'd of getting there before 'em and putting our Lines in a posture of defence yet the River of Lis running round the Place would oblige us not only to make a large Circumvallation but moreover to divide our Army into two parts and this Army would be so lâ—ssen'd as it happens alwâ—ys at the end of a Campaign where the Souldiers have suffer'd great Hardships that we shall not have Souldiers anow to defend our vast Entrenchments much less sufficient to carry on the Siege On the other side the Enemy will have the Advantage with all his Forces to assail the half of ours and afterwards to defeat the remaindeâ— if their fiâ—st attempts succeed More especially since the Return of the Infantry which had repassd the Sea would not admit 'em the least hopes of any Diversion from the Hollanders tho the Prince had sent Tourville to 'em to perswade 'em if he could to sit down before some Town were it only to divide the Spainsh Forces consequently to dream of taking Menene considering the Condition they were in was visibly to hazard for a Town of small Importance the Honour of so many Victories the Reputation of the Prince and the Loss of the Army Add to this that after the Siege of Mardike the first Advice was to regain Menene which tho then it seem'd good nevertheless the Surrender of Furnes which was as it were a Blockade upon Dunkirk and opend a way to that nobler Expedition ought to make 'em alter their Counselâ— and therefore that of the two designs they were to make choice of that which promis'd most Profit most Honour These Considerations having made 'em lay aside that Enterprize which few People contested after the taking of Furnes they fell to examine the Attempt upon Dunkirk where they could not expect to meet with fewer Difficulties For tho the Situation render'd the Circumvallation more easie and that it were but a small March for the Army yet there were so many Obstacles to obstruct the Design that it was morally impossible to surmount There is a necessity said they that one part of the Army must Encamp upon some Hills and the other among standing Pools and muddy Grounds There was no Wood in all the Neighbourhood nor any Straw for the Souldiers Hutts no convâ—nience for Lodging the Cavalry no Forrage for their Subsistance One part of the Country desert and untilldâ— the War had ruin'd the rest So that there was no likelyhood that the Army could subsist there one day much less continue a Siege The trouble of procuring Victuals was also as great which could be brought no way but by Calais or by Sea But the Dunkirkers might easily drown so much Ground as to deprive 'em of any Communicatâ—â—n by Lâ—nd and the way by Sea was no less hazardous because of the Flaâ—s and Shoals and want of Ports and altogether impossible in stormy weather So that if it should happen to be bad weather and that chance to continue but a little we must either famish or be forc'd to raise the Siege with the Ignominy of having attempted it without foresight Moreover as it was a most difficult thing to force Dunkirkâ— so long as her Port was open so there was no probability that the great Dutch Ships that had lain in the Road ever since the taking of Mardike could be able to come to an Anchor near the Shoare if the Winds began to blow so furiously as they had done more especially in the Engl. Channel where the Waves are short and the Sea runs high in bad weather And when the Dutch are forc'd to keep out at Sea the Enemy with their small Vessels will run all hazards to fetch Relief for the Besieged They farther observ'd that during the
September Tides that swell'd high 't would be a hard thing to hinder the Barks from Newport or Ostend from creeping along the Shoar and getting with the Tyde of Flood himself confirm'd in his desire to aâ—tack it by this that the Enemies Generals would hardly hazard the event of a Battel so long as it appearâ—d to them uncertain for which reason he might the more daringly undertake what he pleas'd and that there was no fear of those whom their own Interests held to be half vanquish'd already Thus then the desire of the publick Benefit join'd with the hope of more then ordinary honour having made him resolve to fall upon Dunkirk he determin'd to vanquish all manner of Obstacles and to overcome Nature her self that oppos'd his great Design Nevertheless to testifie his Moderation in an Action of so great Importance and to avoid as much as in him lay the effects of envy the inseparable Companion always of great Atchievements he caus'd the Opinions which had been debated in Council to be written out and without imparting his mind publickly to any Body sent away La Moussaye to Court to inform Ann of Austria who during the Minority of Lewis the XIV her Son successfully govern'd our Empire in Expectation of her Orders with a Submission so much the more acceptable to her that he might have Permission to act without consulting the rest of the great Ministers Now in regard he had so order'd his Message that he made no question but that the Queen would leave all things to his Management and that she would permit his Prudence to take the Liberty of his choice he resolv'd while he stay'd for her Approbation to employ his time in getting all things which he thought necessary in such a Readiness that when the Answer came from Court there was nothing to retard his going forward Four things chiefly put him to a great deal of Trouble the bad condition of his Men that lessen'd every day and which however he design'd for new hardships greater then those they had already undergone the barrenness of the Place whither he was to lead 'em the difficulty of hindring the Dunkirkers from communicating with Ostend and Newport and the weakness of Furnes which left him expos'd to the Enemy if he drew off his Army After he had for some time debated with himself the mâ—ans to remedy these Inconveniencies his Prudence at last furnishd him with such as prov'd effectual La Ferte Seneterre remain'd upon the Lis with a volant Camp of eight hunder'd Horse and fifteen hunder'd Foot with a design to secure the French Conquests and if the Enemy made any Diversion to march where necessity calld him The Prince also gave him Directions with all speed to fortifie those Places which the French held in those Quarters and to put â—em into such a Condition that if he sent for him he might have 'em well secur'd He wrote likewise to the Vidame of Amiens the King's Lieutenant in Picardy to draw out of the Frontier Garrisons as many Men as possibly he could and to bring 'em to the Camp He sent Villequien into Boulonnois to rally the Milâ—tia of the Country that were return'd home after the taking of Mardike And foreseeing that the French Infantry which had follow'd Grammont into Holland and which were to return into France in two of the States Vessels might Land at Mardike a little before he marchd for Dunkirk he designd to make use of those Men and order'd that as soon as they Landed they should be distributed into Mardike Bourbourgh and Berghen to the end they might refresh themselves a little after the Inconveniencies of the Sea and be ready so soon as there should be any occasion for 'em at the Siege He order'd also the Polish Regiments of Priamski and Cabree to take some rest in the Neighbourhood to Calais Those Foreigners were above seventeen hundred in all and were newly come into France under the Leading of Sicot After he had taken those just Measures that he might bring together when he pleas'd as many Men as were sufficient to fight the Enemy should they resolve to fall upon him rather then suffer the Town to fall into his hands and to carry on all the Labours of the Siege his next care was to provide for their Subsistence To which purpose he dispatch'd the Intendant Champestrâ—ux to Callais to make Provision of Ammunition and Victuals and told him which way he would have 'em brought notwithstanding the Inconveniency of the Season and the deepness of the Roads remitting to him the performance in general of what he orderd him in particular Now tho that the Dutch Admiral Trump a Man famous for Sea Affairs and whose valour had rais'd his Fortune was come by the States Order with ten Men of War to an Anchor in Dunkirk Road and that number were sufficient to block up the Port while the French Navy found the Spaniards Employment in the Mediterranean nevertheless in regard the small Vessels of the Enemy might creep along the Coast and slip into the Place the Prince thought it convenient to send for some few Frigates from the French Ports So that Montigny sent away twelve from Dieppe Villequier two from Bologne which were join'd by one from Calais together with some Beelanders which they pickt up upon the Coast. Beelands are small Vessels longer and narrower then Hoys which they very much resemble and much in use among the Flemings for the conveniency of their Trade and all these small Vessels were under the command of Andonville There was nothing more now to be done but to put Furnes in a Condition to stop the Enemy while Dunkirk was taken and to furnish it with Forrage for the Subsistance of the Horse which the Prince took care of in Person to the end his presence might make 'em more diligent to hasten their work and to see that they spent no more time then what was necessary in finishing the Fortifications and supplying the Magazines Furnes is seated between Newport and Dunkirk at some distance from the Sea tho it may be conjectur'd that formerly it was very near it when the Ocean driven by the violence of the North Winds overflow'd all the Land about it if not stopp'd by the Mounds that lye in the way For Fueren or Wueren as the Flemings now pronounce it signifies to Navigate and Naeâ—wueren to arrive in Port as if Furnes had formerly been a Haven for Ships and that it had deriv'd the name of it from thence And as a mark of this the Vicount of Furnes holds the first Rank among the Castellâ—ns of Flanders who are call'd Riverians in regard it was their Business to guard the Coasts A great number of Churches and considerable Edifices render the City very beautiful There is the Chamber still to be seen where Lewis the XI kept himself close when being Daâ—phin he retir'd to Charles the VII and that the D. of Burgundy protected him from the
time to obtain a considerable Succour This was the posture of Affairs on both sides when the Answer from the Court was brought to the Prince It was written in such a manner that tho the Ministers started some difficulties in the Entâ—rprise of Dunkirk 't was easie to perceive that they inclin'd to the Design of Attempting it rightly judging that if it succeeded the taking of that place would prove a great Honour to the Queens Regency Thereupon they referr'd it again to the Prince to consider whither he would undertake the Enterprize or no. The design therefore being resolv'd upon there was nothing more in the Princes Thoughts but going to work and to make the best of the Season Winter drawing on a pace and already beginning to pinch the Army For the security therefore of Furnes the Prince left Bosquet Governour with a Garâ—ison of 1200 Foot and 100 Horse with Instructions to send continually to the Camp Corn Hay and Straw All the Souldiers hâ—d orders then to be ready to March and the 19th of September the whole French Army set forward from Furnes to Dunkirk consisting of between nine and ten thousand Foot and five thousand Horse without any Baggage or that Rabble of useless People that usually follow great Armies Gassion and Ranzan Marshalls of France commanded under the Prince The first having pass'd through all the Degrees of Warfare had attaind by his own Merit to be chief in the Princes Favour The other a Native of Germany but long devoted to France found his Services recompenc'd with the greatest Honour to which the French Nobility could aspire These two had under 'em for Lieutenants Villequier la Ferâ—e Imbrand Chastillon la Moussaye Arnauld Palluaâ— Lavat Chabot Castelnau and Marsin Campâ—Marshals to the Prince Quince Roaneâ—te and Miossans were the same under Gassion Normantier Sicot and Clanleu under Ranzau They had under them very good Officers few Volunteersâ— but amongst those that were was the Duke of Rets â— whose Diligence near the Person of the Prince during the whole Campaigne made him to be greatly taken notice of and Montauzier who rode Post to wait upon the Prince upon the first Rumoâ—r of the Siege The Country between Furnes and Dunkerk is intercut with several Canals between the New River and the Colme beyond which toward the North the Downs extend themselves and the Sea-Sands The Prince therefore resolv'd to divide the Army into three Parts as well to possess himself of this Country as to invest Dunkirk so soon as he was got out of Furnes This Disposal render'd his March more easie and swift and by this means all the three Bodies which he had separated might arrive before the Town all at the same time He chose that side next the Town as the most dangerous by reason of Newport where the Enemy lay encampt He had with him the Regiments of Persâ—n Enguien Conti Albert and Mazarâ—n Vattevilâ—e's Regiment of Switzers and the Battallions of English under Tilliot Hacquins and Hansfers His Cavalry consisted of the Queens Gendarmes those of Conde Enguien Longâ—eville de l' Hospital and Grammont the Light Horse of Conde and Enguien the Royal Regiment those of Enguien Mazarin Grammont Sceaux Meille Marsin Binse and four Troops of Arnauds Carabines The most part of these Bodies had always serv'd under him and the Tryals he had put 'em upon gave him such reason to confide in 'em that it was much to their Honour Gassion took the Left Hand of the Princeâ— along the River that runs from Furnes to Dunkirk with the Companies of French Guâ—rds six Companies of Swiss Guards the Regiments of Picardy and Navarr one of Walloons under Borrnonville one of Switzers under Guy and a Battallion of English under Rocpy For his Cavalry he had his own Regiment with those of Coasâ—in de la Fueilâ—ade Villequier Rocheguyon Coeuvres Bergere Strefâ— Tillar and Bussyalmoru Ranzau march'd thorough the Country that lies on the other side of the New River with six Companies of the French Guards the Regimeâ—ts of Piemont and Orleance and the Switzers of Molondin His Cavalry consisted of the Regiments of Orleance dela Ferte Imbaud Roquelaure Beaujeau Eclinvilliers Noirlieu â— with his own together with the Fuselâ—ers and Cravates The Artillery commanded by Cosse St. Marsin Chouppes and le Bordeâ— consisted of fifteen heavy Canon some Middling and small Pieces some Bombs and a great number of Granadoes After a March of six Hours the whole Army arriv'd before Dunkirk not having met with any considerable Obstacle Only Ranzau was constrain'd to drive the Enemy from four Redoubts which they held upon the Canal that leads from Dunkirk to Bergues through which he pass'd Nor would it have been an easie thing to have forc'd 'em in some hours would they have held out till their Canon could have been brought up which could not have been done so soon by reason of the deep and miery ways which the Rain had broken But whither they wanted Resolution or whether they thought to spare their Souldiers they quitted the three first Redoubts so soon as they saw the Bridges layd to get at 'em and retreated to the fourth which was defended by the Canon of the Town and immediately a hunderd and fifty Horse fallâ—'d out of Dunkirk and put themselves behind the Fort as it was thought with a design to dispute it But afterwards it appeard that their Intention was only to favour the Retreat of their Foot which was there engag'd For Noirmonstier who was commanded to take in the Forts and who had already possest himself of the rest was marching to fall upon the latter At the same time he also caus'd the first Squadron of the Regiment of Orleance to advance and order'd Genlis to take a hunderd Musketeers of the French Guards and seize upon certain old Ruines that lay between the Fort and the Town But that struck a fear into the Enemy lest we should hinder their return and made 'em judge it was dangerous for 'em to stay any longer so that they made away after a slight Skirmish and the French Van Curriers drave 'em to their very Counterscarp Dunkirk is seated among the Downs that rise up with their white Heads on the North side from Eschelle to Calais On the East it is bounded by Furnes and Newport Southward it looks toward Berguen and Flanders Mardike lies to the West of it and the Sea washes it to the North. The Territory that belongs to it is very small and almost every way enclos'd by that of Berguen The largeness and strength of it proceeds from the convenience of the Seaâ— St. Eloy preaching the Gospel built a Chappel there in former Ages of which there are some Remains still to be seen near the Towers of the City from whence it derives both Name and Original Dunkirk signifying no more then the Church upon the Downs and it seems that for that Reason they have built the Steeple of St. Eloy â—s Church so
Beaujeu â—s Regiment of Horse which were of Ranzau's Brigade From the New River drawing toward the Canal of Bergâ—en Ranzau had Order to Line the rest of the Plain with the Bodies of Horse and Foot which the Prince had left him The Places which the French possess'd and the inconvenient Situation of the Country serv'd for the rest of the Circumvallation Only upon the Downs which lye to the West the Prince plac'd Villequier with the Militia of Boulogne his own Regiment of Horse and that of Rocheguyon to the end that the Spaniards if they should pass the Câ—lme after they had drawn together at St. Omers to put in Succour into the Town between Berguen and Mardike meeting with that Obstacle might be quite out of hopes By Sea the Dutch Ships and the French Frigates blockt up the Port and thus was Dunkirk enclos'd on every side Moreover a Bridge was layd over the Canal of Furnes for the Communication of Quarters and two more over the Canals of Honscotte and Berguen for the Carriages to come over that brought Victuals from Calais to the Camp The next day the Circumvallation was begun at which the whole Army wrought The Prince undertook to cut and sink a Moat six Foot deep and twelve Foot wide from the Downs next the Sea to the Canal of Furnes and to consolidate the Work and hinder the Sand from falling into it he orderâ—d the Lines which were to be Canon Proof to be lin'd with Turf Then he mark'd out the most easie Places for the Attacks and to secure 'em with Pallilado's and Turnpikes and about 30 or 40 Paces beyond the Moat he drew out another of an â—qual bigness Now in regard the risings of the Downs were unâ—qual and for that there were some along the Lines that might annoy the Army he was constraind to possess himself of all those upper Grounds to fortifie 'em and extend his Works a great way chiefly toward Newport Road and Gassion's Quarter There was one of these Hills which being much higher then the rest commanded the Camp from the top of which the French were to be seen drawn up in order of Battel and it was dangerous to let the Enemy be Masters of it so as to plant their Cannon upon it The Prince therefore to obviate all Annoyances resolv'd to possess it and whatever pains it cost him to environ it with two Lines which should joyn to those of the Circumvallation to raise a Fort at the top of it and to plant a Battery upon it The Sea Shore still remain'd to be fortifid But by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea there was no probability of working in the Sand without being able to fix it and besides the shortness of time would not permit the casting up of Mounds Nevertheless the rest of the works were insignificant if such a space of Sandy Ground should be left unguarded during low Water The Prince therefore resolv'd to plant a kind of Rail well fortifi'd with Stakes anow to put a stop to the Enemy for some time and easie to repair if the Tyde should carry any part of it away He order'd therefore Piles of Wood to be driven in by main force the better to sustain the fury of the Waves and to range 'em so close one to another that there might be no room to go between 'em yet still at such a distance as to give way to the violence of the Sea and break the strength of the Innundation Nor did he employ less Industry to defend himself from the Water which the Dunkirkers had let into the Highways from the New River to Mardike which were overflow'd in such a manner that the Wagons that came with Victuals from Calais could not pass But tho when the Prince thought of the Siege he had provided against this Inconvenience by ordering Champlastreux to cause a great quantity of Ammunition Bread to be bak'd at Berguen from whence it was brought down the Canal to the Camp and to send for all the Provision he could in Boats that crept along the Coasts from Calaiâ— Nevertheless because this way was uncertain and troublesome and for that the Army was still in fear of want â—he thought it necessary to clear the High-ways by turning away the Water And first they thought to stop the Sluces with Planks rampar'd with Earth which would be easily done and take up but little time But the Fury of the Waves which with a wonderful Rapidness drives back the stream of Rivers when the Tyde flows in having twice carry'd away all their Toyl and Labour therefore they determin'd with great pains to drive in great Piles near the Hollowness of the Sluces thorough which the Sea rowlâ—d in and to fortiâ—ie the Piles with great Stones and throw in a vast quantity of Earth till at length the Sluces were stopp'd At the same time also that he entrench'd himself against the Enemies Forces and the Obstacles of Nature the Prince with no less Prudence provided for the Necessities of the Army He sent away out of the Camp all the Baggage Horses and a thousand of those that belong'd to the Troopers which were most harass'd to recruit themselves in the Pasturages about Calais The Forage which the Barrenness of the Place the difficulty of Carriage render'd scant was very sparingly distributed taking the pains himself to go twice a day to the place where the Forrage was Landed to see it equally shar'd At the same time he commanded Roanette to fetch the Infanâ—ry that return'd from Holland and sent Ramburâ—'s Regiment to Villequier's Post the better to secure it and for that purpose the Companies of the Garrison of Lorrain and Havre and Grammonâ—'s Regiment took Furnes Road. Those of Noirmonstier and Fâ—bert stay'd at Berghen with Directions to come in their Turns and serve in the Camp by mounting the Guards of the Trenches He also orderâ—d Sicot to bring the Polonians within the Lines In the place where he encamp'd he retain'd the Battallions of Cabree and sent the Third which Priamiski commanded to reinforce Gassion's Quarter That Nation contemns danger which their Natural Fierceness is ignorant of The Nobility however are Civil and Ingenious but Haughty as are all the rest of the Northern People Now in regard the Polanders know little what belongs to Sieges the most part of their Wars being carry'd on in the Field they came into the Camp without any conveniences for the making of Hutts Nor did the Place which was Barren enough of it self afford 'em any so that they were constrain'd like Beasts to dig themselves holes in the Sand to shelter themselves from the weather During all this variety of Labour and Toyl the Prince was up and down every where leaving nothing exempted from his Care yet still appearing with that Sedateness of Mind which was easie to be discern'd in his Countenance So that the Souldiers imitating the Example of his Chearfulness and redoubling their Labour with the same Alacrity
in four days notwithstanding the continual Rains and Winds all the Fortifications of the Camp were finishd and the Sluces prevented from doing any more harm The Downs also that were fortifid for defence lookt like so many great Bastions and surpriz'd the Eyes of those that beheld ' em Nay even they that fortifi'd 'em could not but wonder how such prodigious Works could be brought to perfection in so short a time Surely if we consider â—eriously all the Circumstances of those Works which I have so faithfully describ'd and afterwards examine those which are to be found in the Greek and Roman Histories which we never read without astonishment will find by a just Comparison that the Prince has hardly been out done While they were working at the Entrenchments the Prince receiv'd news that the Orders which he had sent for securing the Places which the French held upon the Lis had been punctually obey'd That La Ferte Seneterre together with Rovigny and de Piennes were departed from Bethune with all their Men to put in a Convoy of 500 measures of Corn and some bundles of Match into Courtray which that Place stood in need of And it was said that because they would make the more haste and for that they understood that the Enemy had thrown Trees cross the High-ways they left the Wagons and loaded the draught Horses which they unspang'd from the Wains beside that every Horseman was order'd to carry a Sack behind him and so crossing the Enemies Country in the Night got safe to Courtray where they left 500 Men of the Regiments of Antragnes Tavanes Lamberte and the Swiss Guards and Provision enough for two months for 3000 Souldiers Lastly that they were return'd to Armentiers from whence they could send all ther Men to the Prince At the heels of this came other News no less acceptable Tourville return'd from Holland and gave a better account of the Success of his Negotiation then the Inclination of that Republick seem'd to promise Frederick Henry Prince of Orange whose Authority till then had constrain'd the United Provinces to continue the War then lay labouring under a lingring Distemper which had much enfeebld the Vigour of his mind and renderd him less capable of Business In the mean time the Deputies of the States taking the Government into their hands several among â—em sway'd by their old Inclinations to Peace others corrupted with the Gold of Spain and deeply concern'd for their want of Trade had set forward their Treaty with the Spaniards and the Catholick King granting almost all their demands 't was much to be fear'd thâ—t the Treaty would be concluded which happen'd to be an â—â—seasonable Conjuncture for the French in regard they could expect no succour from Hollaâ—d â— However Tourville had so dextrously follow'd his Instructions which the Prince had given him that in spite of all these troublesome Obstacles the Dutch not only promis'd to break the Trace but engagâ—d to make a great Diversion in Brabant and to undertake the Siege of Liere or Malines Now tho the Prince built no great hopes upon these Promises of the Hollandâ—â—◠◠〈◊〉 pompous then realâ— nevertheless becâ—â—se he made no question but their Army would be 〈◊〉 Motion were it only to make some show of fulfiâ—â—ng their Promises he thought he should get advantage eâ—â—ugh by their March since it would oblige 〈◊〉 Spaniards to divide their Forces and in regard they that lay at Newport were too feeble to fight him alone he should the more easily accomplish the Siege While things thus pass'd in the Camp the Enemies Generals no longer doubting but that Dunkirk was besieg'd assembl'd at Newport which was the next place to the Siege and therefore most Commodious for Conference and Execution Picolominy â—â—amboy were there being come to joyn Caracena who had never stirr'd since the taking of Furnes Beck was also expected who was hastning thither with long Marches These Captains being of several Nations and having various Interests pretending to be Independant one from the other tho Picolominy had some Authority above the Rest frequently retarded the welfare of their Party through their private and particular Passions and many times while they opposd those Counsels which were not giv'n by themselves their own misunderstandings frustraâ—ed good designs At this time the Importance of the thing being joynd with the loss of their Reputation which the continual Victories of the French had very much lessend oblig'd 'em to give their opinions generously and to bethink themselves of an entire Union and which way to force the French to raise their Siege Nor were they at the bâ—ginning without hopes They found themselves more numerous then the French promising themselves as they desir'd and not without great probability that the Hollanders by a quick conclusion of the Peace would leave 'em at liberty to draw out their Frontier Garrisons and oppose the D. with very great Forces Besides the Inconveniencies of the D's being encamp'd in such a place and the badness of the Season gave 'em hopes that they might defeat the French Army full of Diseases and tyr'd and enclos'd between their Forces and â—he Town besides that they lay open toward the Sea were but badly entrench'd along the Downs For they could not imagine that in so fâ—w days it had been possible to fortifie the Sea-shore nor to raise in the Sand such good Defences as the French had done Nevertheless not being willing to hazard any thing rashly and because Beck was not yet come to Newport to take the most certain measures they concluded to draw out of all their Bodies a good number of Horse to take Prisoners and to inform themselves the best they could of the state of the French Camp They also thought it necessary to prepare at Newport as many Frigates as they could get ready to the end that if their Negotiation with England succeeded they might assist the English Men of War to force the Confederates Fleet or if they miss'd of Forraign Ayd that they might attempt the putting in Relief into Dunkirk by the Favour of Wind and Tyde In the mean time the Prince resolvd to carry the Place by main Force for being a Person of a deep Fore-sight he rightly conjectur'd that only the length of the Siege could ruine his Design Victuals came with great diâ—ficulty to the Camp the Sea grew tempestuous and ran high and the Sea-men being forc'd out of Calais and not daring to venture for fear of losing their Vessâ—ls kept themselves within the Canal of Mardike with so much obstinacy that the Officers of that Fort were constrain'd to let fly with their Great Guns upon 'em and to sink one of the Beelands to terrifie the rest and cause â—em to bear away to the Camp Nor was the Shore more favourable to 'em then the Sea many of their Vessels being thrown against the Sands and stav'd to pieces Moreover the Rain continually falling soak'd into the Souldiers Hutts
Noirmonstier might well assume to himself the greatest part of the Honour of that Action On the other side at the Principal Attack where Aubeterre was wounded with a Musket Shot the Approaches were briskly carryd on Chatillon in a little time had advanc'd the Works so far that there was not much ground to be gaind to come at the Counterscarp all things went on prosperously and the speed of the work answer'd the Prince's expectation In the mean time Intelligence came that the Enemies Armies were set forward out of Newport to â—ight the Besiegers and that the foremost Squadrons of their Vanguard appeaâ—'d between Furnes and Dunkirk This Intelligence was grounded upon the Advantageous Rumours which the Spaniards causâ—d to be spread about of great Succours which they were preparing and of their assurance to force the French Lines and all this to chear up the dejected Minds of the People Which Reports the Vâ—lgar believing had encreas'd 'em with great Additions according to Custome and the Cavalry that appear'd seemd in some Measure to confirm ' em However the Prince being inform'd that the Forces of Flanders were drawing together about Newport and desirous to know the truth of the Rumour of their March that he might prepare for all Accidents sent out for News and dispatcht away Orders to La Ferte Seneterre to approach with his Flying Camp The next day the French Scouts brought word that the Cavalry which had alarum'd the Peasants and the Spies was nothing else but a great Parâ—y sallyâ—d out of Newporâ— which fell upon the French Foragers and that having taken some of 'em they were retir'd again in hast Now tho this Report of Relief had spread it self among the Besiegers yet it wrought no disturbance There was no Alteration made in the Guard of the â—amp which was still dispos'd in the same manner as if the Enemies Army had been in view the works aâ— the Trenches and the attack of â—he Bastion went oâ— and Arnaud and Marsin were advancâ—d almost to the Foot of the Counterscarp but with some trouble and danger the Difficulties encreasing â—s they drew nearer and nearer to the Enemies defeâ—ces At length La Moussayâ— coming in his turn undertook to make a Lodgement He mounted the Guard with the Battallion of Switzers under Molondin 〈…〉 ring their great 〈◊〉 which 〈…〉 fore with extraordinary Fury 〈…〉 who were altogether expos'd by 〈…〉 workmen â—ighting with disadva◠〈…〉 had already receiv'd two morâ—â—l 〈…〉 most daring of his men not wil 〈…〉 but preferâ—ng deâ—th before igno 〈…〉 by him The Tâ—mult the Night the 〈…〉 Arms the Groâ—ns of the Wounded 〈…〉 Combatants caus'd a hidioâ—s 〈…〉 the news of this disorder waâ— carrid 〈…〉 who immediately flew into the 〈…〉 the daâ—ger and by his Preâ—ence settl'd all 〈…〉 order again he caus'd the Men to 〈◊〉 â—o tâ—e Works which La Moussaye repair'd 〈…〉 on with the same Couragâ— as he had 〈…〉 surviv'd some days the Honour 〈…〉 ervice but Death depriv'd him of all 〈…〉 ut the praises of Posterity At 〈…〉 on the Marshals side the Tumult was 〈…〉 nor the Combat no less furious For 〈…〉 carry'd on the Trenches and Chanâ—â—◠〈◊〉 possess'd the place of a Fortification 〈…〉 sieged had begun near theiâ— Counter 〈…〉 mounting the Guard after them had 〈…〉 Pâ—llisadoes one of which lookt toward tâ—e â—ea the other coverd the Hornwork whither the â—esiâ—ged were carrying on their Wâ—rks The 〈…〉 of Navarr had attack'd the first and the 〈…〉 Picâ—râ—y the other Now the Spaniards 〈…〉 while they defend any strong Hold thâ—â— when once the Garrison is distributed to the 〈…〉 most likely to be aâ—tack'd they never change 〈◊〉 dâ—ring the Siege When the Besiegers have 〈…〉 Outwork the Men that defended it retreat to 〈◊〉 Guard of the next Entâ—enchment Now 〈…〉 had been all along oppos'd to the 〈…〉 from the beginning of the Sieâ—e And ever since the opening of the Trenches tho always at Handâ—blows with the Assailants had defended their Outworks with Resolution and Valour But now tir'd with watching and hardship they quitted their Pallisadoes to the Besiegers almost without any Contest The Besiegers were Masters of em for some hours and had finish'd their Lodgments when Leda bringing along with him two Companies of natural Spaniards which he took out of Fort Leon and animating â—he Walloâ—â—s with this Succour and his Personal Presence made a Sâ—lly at the head of â—em tho fruitless as to the Decision of the main Business yet prosperous at the beginning He regain`d the Pallisâ—do with an extraordinary fury which led to the Counterscarp of the Hornwork and overthrew all that oppos`d him Grave Blancafort and Poix Officers of the Regiment of Picardy were wounded in sustaining the Assault and Breaute was kill`d The Death of the latter added to the Mournful Examples of the Misfortâ— ne of his Ancesâ—ors of which the French Histories are full and confirm`d the common opinion that the Destiny of the Wars of Flanders is always fatal to those of that Family La Vieuville Camp-master of the Regiment of Picardy assisted Miâ—ssans under whom he mounted the Guard He perceiving that the Souldiers gave ground and that the Commands of the Officers were not at all regarded and not broâ—king while he liv`d that his Regiment should receive an affront ran with some of his Men where the Conflict was hottest and throwing himself into the thickest of the Enemy put a stop to their Victory by his daring Boldness His Souldiers also spurr`d on by his danger and his Example returnd to the Onset with so much fury that they layd the Spaniards sprawling and regain`d the Lodgement which Miâ—ssans brought to Perfection without any Opposition This was the Posture of things in the Attacks of the Place In the mean time Beck arriv'd at Neâ—port and joynâ—d the rest of the Armies with three thousand Foot and five and twenty Corâ—â—â—s of Horse He found the affairs of his Party in very great Disorder and that there was no possiâ—â—lity of succouring Dunkirk For their Spies and the French Prisoners which they had taken had inform'd 'em of the strength of the Besiegers Lines and they judg'd the work so compleat that they â—oâ—ld not without extream rashness undertake to force 〈◊〉 They knew the Prince who defended 'em to be a Person accustom'd to Victory prudent in Danger and that success attended his Wisdom So that altho their Armies consisted of above twelve thousand Men that number was not sufficient to accomplish the Enterprize where multitude only could overlay the Valour of the Bâ—siegers and which is of great moment in maâ—ters of War the Reputation of the Prince had imprinted such a violent Terrour in the minds of the Soldiers that they dispair'd of Victory had they been to fight him in the open Field much less to force him out of Entrenchments that were fortifâ—â—d and better guarded As for their Negotiations in England they had mâ—t with little success in ' em They could obtain
be hop'd for and which he had undertaken only to keep up the Reputation of his Party and to admonish his Generals to provide for all those Places upon which the Prince is most likely to turn his Victorious Arms after the Surrender of Dunkirk And now the time for relieving the Town being just ready to expire in the evening of the third day Veere deliver'd up into the Prince's hands all the New Town and Miossans who then commanded in his turn enter'd the Place with two Squadrons of Horse and six hundred Foot taken out of the Battalions of French Guards and the Switzers of Gassions Brigade Which done he march'd to take possession of Niâ—uport Gate of the Old Town 'T is true that Governour made some scruple of yielding up the Gate but at last being oblig'd to it by his Capitulation the Soldiers became Masters of it and there stood all the night under their Arms within a Pikes length of the Enemy The next day being the 11th of October the Garison began to march forth about Eight of the Clock in the Morning The Prince also not so much out of ostentation as to prevent Disorders and to see Leda for whom he had a high esteem plac'd himself upon the way through which they were to pass A hundred and fifty Horse appear'd first of all be-being follow'd by Lamboy's five Regiments after which came the Baggage and then the Artillery belonging to the Germans and two Pieces of the City Cannon according to the Articles the Spanish Infanâ—ry march'd after the Great Guns and a hundred and fifty Horse brought up the Reer Leda came last mounted upon a good Horse and accompanied with the Principal Officers So soon as he perceiv'd the Prince he alighted and accosted Him with a profound Respect On the other side The Prince who was also alighted from his Horse so soon as the Governour came pretty near him receiv'd him very civilly After the first Complements and a great number of Reciprocal Encomiums as the Governour was ready to retire the Prince stopp'd him and invited him to stay and see the Garison which he intended to put into Dunkirk Presently Norssmonstier who had the leading of 'em advanc'd at the head of the Battalions of French Guards of Ranzaâ—'s Brigade the Regiments of Piemont and Orleans Molonden's Switzers and Cabree's Polonians These Bodies march'd one after another and with the Foot that enter'd the day before made two thousand four hundred men of the stoutest in the Army While they march'd along and that the Prince was discoursing with the Governour the latter comparing to himself the Fortune of the Siege of Maestricht with his present Condition and the great Qualities of two famous Captains that had vanquish'd him could not chuse but admire the Prince Puissant Armies abundance of all things length of time had render'd Frederick Henry of Nassau Victorious But here the Prince with a slender Army pinch'd for want of Necessaries in a short time had by his Prudence and Courage within thirty days accomplish'd what the Hollanders were three Months bringing to pass The Garison being march'd by Leda took his leave of the Prince who order'd him the Queen 's Gens d' Armes commanded by Franquerot to conduct him to Nieuport and then made his Entry into Dunkirk He found in the Magazines a good quantity of Powder Match Bullets Arms Corn Forage and other sorts of Provision and Ammunition Upon the Fortifications several Pieces of Brass Cannon and a great number of Iron Pieces and in the Port two great Vessels three Flutes and thirteen Frigats or rather Privateers which kept the Western Seas of France in a shameful subjection it being easie by all this to see that the Besieged had store of all things necessary for their Defence and that Valour only had tam'd them Thus ended the Siege of Dunkirk at a time when all Eâ—rope had their Eyes fix'd upon the Prince But among so many Nations that beheld with astonishment the Wonders of his Life there was none but acknowledg'd that his Fortune was beneath his Virtue and his Prowess The End of the Second Book Memoirs c. The THIRD BOOK THE Siege of Dunkirk was no sooner at an end but the Duke took a Resolution to besiege Menene Nevertheless considering that the Season was too far spent to undertake that Conquest he only sent Gassion with his Army toward the Abby of Lenzi to see whether some Attempt might not be made upon Dixmude of which he had a Design to make himself Master to the end he might in those Quarters refresh some part of his men But that Enterprize not appearing feasible he set forward and encamp'd at Hondescott by reason of the abundance of Forage after he had set his men at work to repair as well as they could the Breaches of Dunkirk and strengthen'd that Place with Men and Ammunition sufficient and put in two Convoys into Courtray one of which he conducted himself through a Thousand Dangers After which having receiv'd Orders to lay up his Men in their Winter Quarters he distributed his Forces according to his Orders leading himself into Champaign that part of the Army which he commanded in Person before he join'd the Duke of Orleans The Government of Dunkirk was join'd to that of Berguen as well for that Dunkirk belongs to the Castellame of Berguen as because that time out of mind they who commanded in the lasâ— place were always Masters of the Sluce that lies at the Gates of Dunkirk and is that through which they let in the Sea to drown all the Countrey when they please And these two Governments were conferred upon Marshal Ranzau which equally surpriz'd all people in regard that no body question'd but that the Court would have cast their eyes upon Mareschal de Gassion who had so highly signaliz'd himself in the Siege of that place and who had moreover those Personal Qualities which Ranzau wanted But this was not the only vexation that mortified Gassion after the Siege of Dunkirk for out of a Capricio of his unlucky star he would needs embroil himself with the Duke of Enguien who had a great value for him and had procur'd him a Marshal's Battoon in despite of Cardinal Mazarine who had no kindness for him This hapned a little before the Armies separated and upon this occasion Gassion had taken with his own hand during the Siege an Officer one of Lamboy's Battel-Marshals whom the Duke had promis'd to restore to his Collonel and the thing had been done as the Duke desir'd but it was Gassion's Fate to embroil himself at that very instant with a Prince who till then had been his Protector and upon whose Affection depended his Good or Bad Fortune For in regard the Prisoner had his Liberty upon his Parole the Captain of the Guards could not meet with him time enough to present him to his Collonel so soon as he desiâ—'d Upon which the Collonel meeting Gassion presently aâ—ter gave
regard the City of Ypre is of a large Extent he resolv'd that it should be attack'd in four parts Grammont posted himself next to Armentiers and Varnetin the Roads and Avenues from Aire and St. Omers were stopp'd up by Ranzau those from Dixmude and Bruges by Palluau and the Prince of Conde took his Post upon the Avenues from Menene The Circumvallation was three large Leagues in compass Now while the French were busied in making their Entrenchments the Arch-Duke attempted to force their Lines But in regard the Circumvallation was finish'd and for that the Besiegers had almost made three Lodgments he was forc'd to retire The Spanish General therefore vexâ—d that he had fail'd of his Enterprize with an Army so considerable and being desirous besides to repair the Loss which they were like to make immediately laid siege to Courtray and took it by Assault After that he besieg'd the Castle where there was a Dam or Water-stop made of Piles which join'd to the Ramparts of the City and having drain'd the Moat they presently fell on and the Soldiers that kept the Citadel being only raw Recruits refusing to make any great Resistance were all made Prisoners of War together with all the Officers Ypre surrender'd presently aâ—ter not having held out above thirteen days The Queen had promis'd to give the Government of Ypre to Chatillon and a King's Lieutenant was already made choice of to Command in the absence of the Governor But when the Prince least expected any such thing a Courrier brought him a Letter from the Queen wherein she signify'd her trouble that she could not gâ—ant the Government of the place to the person for whom he had solicited and to whom she had promis'd it because she was oblig'd to give it to Palâ—uau in regard that Courtray had not been lost by his fault This News surpriz'd the Prince so that there being no body in the room when he receiv'd the Letter but Grammont and another Officer he fell into a most terrible Fury and inveigh'd with an extraordinary Passion against Mazarine but Prudence made him conceal some part of his Resentment The Arch-Duke not satisfy'd with the taking of Courtray resolv'd to attack Le Catelet and to invest Peronne but these two Enterprizes fail'd however having laid siege to Furnes he carry'd the Town and also the Castle of Eterre Three weeks after the Spaniards had taken Furnes and that the Forces which lay round that place were drawn off the Prince of Conde resolv'd to retake it and to that purpose he order'd Marshal Ranzaâ— to besiege it The season was so far spent that he made some scruple to undertake it but receiving a second Order he obey'd it upon which the Place was immediately Invested Thither also the Prince advanc'd from Le Catelet and going to the Trenches so soon as he arriv'd he receiv'd a Musket-Shot in his Thigh and had it not been for the folding of his Buff-Coat which was made at the end of the slit behind his Thigh had been broken and he had been in great danger The same day the Town surrender'd and all the Officers and Soldiers were made Hostages of War to be exchang'd for the Prisoners which the Spaniards had taken during the last Campaign The Prince whose Wound was not very conâ—iderable return'd and carry'd back the men which he brought along with him and some time after was fought the Battel of Lens famous for every thing for which a Victory could be valu'd Lens is a City in Antois which Gassion had tak'n in the last Campaign and was the last Expedition which that great Captain made for that having been wounded at that Siege with a Musket-Bullet in the Headâ— he dy'd of his Wound the next day The Spaniards lay before that Place and pusht on the Siege with extraordinary Vigor On the other side the Prince of Conde to whom nothing appear'd difficult resolv'd to force their Lines and venture a Battel to relieve the Place however he would not rashly engage himself He stay'd therefore till General Herlack join'd him with the Forces under his Command but so soon as that Reinforcement arriv'd he was forthwith for fighting the Enemy Now in regard the Place was able to have held out for some time he flatter'd himself that he should come time enough to succour it but the day before he set forward the Town surrender'd This unexpected News caus'd him to alter his Measures so that he took some time to consider what Enterprize to undertake But at length perceiving that the Spaniards were posted much more advantageously then he himself by his own observation had thougt 'em to be and besides that there was no Water where he lay with his Men nor any Forage but in the parts that lay next the Enemy he resolv'd to quit his Statioâ— Therefore that he might retreat in good order and in a condition to defend himself if the Enemy should attack him he had a Body of a Reserve which he made his Van-guard and immediately commanded to march He drew up all his Cavalry in two Lines and order'd the second to follow the Reserve The Infantry was plac'd behind this second Line having all the Artillery of the Army before it The Spaniards perceiv'd this Retreat but at first they never stirr'd to attack either the Reserve or the second Line or the Artilery which made the Prince believe they would not stir at all However after these Forces were advanc'd at a good distance off some Regiments of Croaâ—es and Lorrainers that compâ—â—'d the Left-Wing of the Arch-Duke's Aâ—my begaâ— to fall upon the first Line of the French with an extraordinary Fury and the Troops of that Line sustain'd the first shocks of the Enemâ— with much Bravery but at length the Spaniards briskly broke into their Body so that finding themselves unable to fight with any Order they had been entirely defeated iâ— Chaâ—ellon with the Gendarmerie which he commanded had not hasten'd to their Succor He presently and all of a sudden thunder'd in among those great Squadrons of Croates and Lorrainers and without giving them time to recollect themselves drave 'em so vigorously before him that if those Troops as victorious as they thought themselves had not been seconded by all the Arch-Duke's Cavalry they had been cut in pieces so that it may be said That the French Gâ—ndarmerie wrested the Victory out of the Spaniards hands But it being impossible that they should withstand all the Enemies Cavalry they were at length forc'd to give way And they were no soonâ—â— broken but eight Squadrons which were advantageously posted to second 'em forsook their Ground and betook themselves to a shameful Flight The Prince who was not accustom'd to see the meâ— that fought under him recoil before the Enemy was extremely surpriz'd at the Cowardise of his Hoâ—se But in regard there was no remedy and that there were now but two things to be done either to rouâ— the Spanish
Porto Longone were the most advantagious that France could have undertak'n and most proper to bring the Enemy to a speedy Peace in regard those Places would have kept in subjection those Territories which the Spaniards possess'd in Italy â— That the Independency which the Duke of Guise affected at Naples was not the Reason that the Cardinal afforded him powerful Assistance That Gassion would have set himself up in Flanders with little dependance upon the Court. That the Prince never complain'd of his not assisting him either at Catologna or any other of his Campaigns as much as lay in his power That he was constrain'd to have recourse to those Edicts to raise Moâ—ey for the Expences of the War nevertheless that the Taxes were abated That Time had sufficiently evinc'd That his transporting Money into â—taly was a meer Fabulous Story invented on purpose to disgrace him To this they added That for twenty years together he had manag'd with honour the Interests of the Princes of Europe That if the good Intelligence between France and the Vnited Provinces began to flagâ— 't was because some particular Persons had been suborn'd and corrupted by the Gold of Spain That in the Administration of State he had follow'd all the Maxims of Cardinal Richlieu only that he had â—onish'd the Cruelty of Punishments That if he had been oblig'd to promise more then he had perform'd 't was because the number of those that serv'd in France was very great and the number of Pretenders much greater That the State had never knâ—wn more Prosperity then during his Ministry and that iâ— in great Executions the honour of the Performance were due to the Generals the Contriâ—ance and Forecast belong'd to him That France had been still in quiet if every body had been unanimous in their Duty if the People had not been drawn from their Obedience by the Suggestions of Persons disaffected or rather if the Parliament who ought to be the true Model of Allegiance had not pav'd 'em a way to revolt That the Station wherein the Cardinal was had always been expos'd to the Assaults of the Hatred and Envy of all the States and by consequence 't was no wonder if sometimes an Inordinate Ambition were laid to his charge or if sometimes he were accus'd of Insufficiency However that he was happy in this That Calumny in her most Venomous Assaults had spar'd his Fidelity and never attack'd him with the least suspicion of Treachery But this Answer and Apology of Cardinal Mazarine could not hinder his Enemies from persevering in their Design to remove him from the Administration of the Government and then to Ruin him And this Design was afterwards so well confirm'd that it was decreed in the Assembly of the Chambers of the Parliament That a Solemn Deputation should be sent to the Duke of Orleans and the Prince of Conde and Conty to beseech them to join with the Parliament for the effectual Remedy of the Grievances that threaten'd the Kingdom The Court was at Ruel when the Cardinal was inform'd of what had pass'd and he was deeply afflicted to see that he must be constrain'd to throw himself into the Prince's Arms and to secure his Tottering Fortune by his Support The Disorders at Paris not permitting the Prince to reap all those Advantages from the Victory of Lens which he might have done he was constrain'd to bound his Conquests with the taking of Lens And so soon as that Place was taken he return'd to Court at what time all People beheld him with admiration For besides that he was endow'd with so many noble so many excellent and rare Qualities besides the many Signal Victories he had won he had had no share in the Troubles insomuch that both Parties look'd upon him as their Defender and belâ—ev'd they might shelter themselves under his Laurels from all manner of troublesome Accidents And indeed had he harbour'd at that time those Thoughts in his Breast which his Enemies afterwards imputed to him questionless he would have made the best of Opportunities so favourable For in truth the low condition of the Court and Publick Admiration equally concurr'd to his Exaltation and to the Execution of the most Ambitious Designs which he could have had in his Head So that in regard he study'd then so little to court the People and to manage the Exasperations of those whose Sentiments and Conduct were most opposite to the Regency and the Cardinal 't is manifest he had no such design as he was accus'd to have at that time The Prince had admitted two great Men to be his Confidents both Persons of Signal Merit but opposite in their Judgments as to the Affairs that made so great a noise These were the Duke of Chatillon and Marshall Grammont The first whose Person and Family were bound in the strictest Tyes of Alliance with the Prince labour'd to perswade him to declare for the Parliament or at least to make himself Umpire of the Differences with all the Neutraliâ—y imaginable The other Engag'd by all manner of Interests with the Court spent a large stock of pleasing Eloquence to oblige him to side with the Court But the Prince upon this occasion laid a Comtraint upon his own Temper râ—mote from moderate ways and wrote together with the Duke of Orleance to the Parliament exhorting 'em to fend Commissioners to St. Germains â— and to put an end to their Differences in a Conference Which Conference terminated in an Authentick Declaration of the Kingâ—s which gâ—ve some Respiâ— to the Publiâ—k Differences and for that the Straâ—agems of the Enemies of the Court prevail'd so far that they openly dâ—manded the Ruin of thâ— Cardinal the Couâ—â— thought it their best way to have recourse â—o â—he Duke of Orleans and the Prince And in regard the Mischief had penetrated so far that it was not tâ— bâ— Eradicated but by strong Medicaments they werâ— of Opinion at the same time that the Natural Modâ—ration of the Duke of Orleâ—nâ— and his peaceable Teâ—per would not be so proper as the Prince's more Vigorous Heat besides that the Reputation of so great a Captain the Splendour of his Victories and â—he Assistance of his Army would strike a Terrour into the Male-contentâ—â— so that the Court labour'd might and main to gain him The Queen made use of all the most powerful and perswasive Motives descending even to Tears and the most melting Expressionsâ— telling him She look't upon him as her third Son The Cardinal also protested that he should be all his Life time devoted to his Will and Pleasure with an Absolute Submiâ—sion The King likewise tenderly embracing him recommends to him the welfare of the Kingdom and the safety of his Person But notwithstanding all these Caresses Marshall Grammont and Le Fellier were the Persons who fully determin'd him to take the Court Party They laid before him that by degrees the Parliament would invade all Authority That without confining their
of Sport and thought the Queen had done it in a kind of Frolick But understanding all was in good earnest Is this then the Recompence said he of 〈◊〉 Fidelity and Services And then addressing himself to the Chancellor he desir'd him to go in his Name to the Queen and beg of her to hear him but for one Minute aâ—d he pray'd the Count de Servien to â—â—sire the same Favour of the Cardinal As for the Chaâ—câ—llor he return'd without being able to obâ—â—in hiâ—â—equest and as for the Count of Servien â—e brought no answer back believing it enough to have given the Cardinal notice that the business was doneâ— And then it was that Mazarine imparted the business to the Abbot de la Riviere who was strangely surpriz'd at it and could not forbear telling him That certainly the Duke of Orleans would never sufâ—er such an Injury to be done the Princes To which the Cardinal answer'd That there had been nothing done without his Consent Thereupon the Abbot retir'd to speaâ— with his Highness but he was repuls'd in such a manner that he look'd upon his Forâ—uâ—â— to â—e at an end 〈◊〉 who was gone to fetch his Guard returâ—'d with Twenty Soldiers well Arm'd who looking a squint upon the Princes seem'd to threaten 'em with something else more fatal then Imprisonments and carrâ—'d away the Prisoners down a back-pair of Stairs into the Garden where Guitalt putting 'em all threâ— into one Coach conducted 'em to Richlieu â—s Gate where the Count oâ— Miossans afterwards for this piece of good service made a Marshal by the name of Marshal d' Albret waited with the Gendarmes to carry 'em to Vincennes And that which is here to be observ'd is this That Mazarine ordeâ—'d this business so cunningly that the Prince believ'd that all the Preparations which were made to seize his Person concern'd only the Frondeurs and out of that perswasion gave himself the Orders for his being more safely conducted to Prison For the same day the Prince was arrested the Cardinal sent him word in the Morning That he had something to impart to him of great Consequence Thereupon the Prince went to the Palace-Royal where the Cardinal told him That he had been inform'd in good part that Decoutures had been in Paris about Four and twenty hours conceal'd in â— House near Moâ—matre Gate and that the Conviction of the Murder intended being infallible if they could but light upon himâ— he would do well to give an Order to apprehend him but that in the executing of this Design two things were to be fear'd that is to say lest the People and the Coadjutor's Friends should make a Tumult for that the Coadjutor well knowing his Ruin to be unavoidable if Decoutures were taken would be certain to procure his escape And therefore to avoid both the one and the other of these Inconveniences he thoâ—ght it convenient that he should be sent away out of Paris till the Parliament should order him to be remanded to the common Goal of the City That the best way was to carry him through Richlieu Gate and thereâ—ore that he would command the Gensdarms to stay behind l' Hostel de Vendosme in a readiness to march when they should be commanded The Prince approv'd these Proposals and blinded by his desire of Revenge suffer'd himself to be surpriz'd by the Artifices of the Cardinal and took care for his own being safely carry'd to Prison which he had like to have discover'd the day beâ—ore entring into the Cardinal's Chamber where Lyonne Mazarine's Secretary was writing out the Orders beforehand Upon the Road to Vineennes the Coach broke so that the Prisoners were forc'd to stay three or four hours by the way with only a Guard of Fourâ—een Gensdarmes yet no body durâ—t adventure to rescue them The remembrance of the War and the present disorders of Paris were the reason that the blow was easily born with The People approv'd what had been done against the Prince and shew'd themselves extreamly joyful at the News So that the 〈◊〉 of Longueville who was retir'd to a private house in â—aris in expectation of things necessary for her 〈◊〉 into Normandy to which she had been adâ—â—â—â— by her Friends beheld the Bonfires and other marks of publick rejoycing for the Imprisonments of her Brothers and her Husband And what was more singular was this That Persons of the highest Quality and Degree who afterwards demanded and with an unshak'n Zeal and Constancy prosecâ—ted their Releasment then publickly declar'd that their Imprisonment was Legal But that which soon after made it appear to be 〈◊〉 waâ— a letter sent to the Parliament three days aâ—ter the Princes were seiz'd wherein such â—light and 〈◊〉 â—rimes were laid to their charge that the greatest of those who by reason of some remaining 〈◊〉 of the year preceding thought 'em guiltyâ— were convinc'd of their Innocency The first days of their Imprisonment the Princes inâ—rigâ—'d against the Cruelty of their Enemies The Kingâ—s Bâ—â—ad which was granted to the most wretchâ—d was deny'd to Princes of the Blood Their Employmentsâ— and their Governments were dispos'd oâ—â— their Pensions were stopp'd nay they lay'd their Hands upon â—he Assignations given the Prince for the â—â—imbursement of fifty thousand Crowns lent to the Queen but six months before Perraut also being imprison'd the same day as his Master they seiz'd upon all his Papers turn'd his Servants out of three Houses and commanded the Princess Dowager and the Pâ—incess her Daughter-in-law to retire out of Paris â— They order'd also President Ferrand who was nominated by the Prince for the Administration of his Affairsâ— and the Intendants employ'd by the two others 〈◊〉 defray their Expences Upon refusal of the first Decree of Council the President Ferrand who resolutely resisted was threaten'd with imprisonment His Moveables were put to sale No less then eight Silver Candlesticks mark'd with the Prince's Arms were sold by an Outcry And his Sword the support of the State the glory of the Regency the Terrour of all Europe was within a hairs breadth of being cry'd in the publick Market-place by a pitiful Catchpole that Sword which had defeated the most considerable Forces of Spain and had sacrific'd to the Security and Welfare of the King three famous Generals gain'd whole Provinces to the Crown that had vanquish'd the Bavarians the Support and Hopes on which the Empire rely'd and which had defended the Cardinal himself from the Fury and Animosity of the French These three Princes suffer'd their Misfortunes with variety of Humours The Duke of Longuevilâ—e was sad and pensive and spoke not a word The Prince of Conti wept and never stirr'd out of his Bed while the Prince sung swore went to Mass a Mornings read and play'd to pass away his time 'T is said that the Prince hearing the Prince of Conti desire some-body to bring him a Book entitl'd The Imitation of Christ should presently use this Expression to the
it three times with tâ—â—ir bâ—sts men but were repuls'd by Rochefoucault whâ— had brought thither the Prince of Conde's Guâ—â—ds and his own at the same time that the Citiâ—â—nâ— dâ—â—ertâ—d it The Besieg'd also made three or â—oâ—r Sallies in every one of which they clear'd the Tâ—â—nchesâ— and burnt the Enemies Lodgments insoâ—â—â—h that in Thirteen days after the Trenches were 〈◊〉 they were no fâ—rther advanc'd then at first But iâ—â—egard the Bourdelois had not Infantry enough to believe the Guards of the Gates attack'd and for that those who were neither kill'd nor wounded were 〈◊〉 for service by reason of their being weari'd with thirâ—â—en days hard service together Bouillon and Rochefâ—â—caâ—lt found a way to relieve 'em by causing the â—avalry to serve a foot and they stay'd there themselves the four or five last days without stirring 〈◊〉 their Poâ—â—s to encourage the Soldiers by their Eâ—â—mple Before I go any farther 't is requisite for the keepâ—â—g iâ— memory the just and distinct Ideas of so many 〈◊〉 Accidents to let you know That the Remotâ—ness of the Court and the King's Army now buâ—â—â—â—â—â—ploy'd in Guyenne gave Turenne leisure to make great Progresses He therefore taking advantage oâ— the opâ—ortunity took in Caâ—elet La Chapelle Chatâ—â—â— Porâ—ien and Rhetel and made a shew of marching toward Paris to release the Princes who were at â—incennes The news of his March struck a Terror into the Capital City and made 'em think of a secuâ—eâ— Pâ—ison wherein to confiâ—e the Princes Thereupon they all agreed That it was absolutely necessary that they should be remov'd from Vincennes But the difficulty was to agree upon the place where they might be more in safety Madam Chevreuse and the Keeper of the Seals could not determine the point for there was more in it then only to remove the Princes from Vincennesâ— Tellier Secretary of State and others of the Cardinal's Friends propos'd Havre according as Mazarine had design'd The Coadjutor thought they were safe enough where they wereâ— or if they must be remov'd no better place then the Bastile Beaufort was of the same opinion and stifly maintain'd That to put 'em in any other place would be to deliver 'em up to the Cardinal and give him an opportunity to make use of 'em when he pleas'd against his Royal Highness himself That rather then suffer it he would expose himself to the greatest dangers That he made no question but that he should be upheld by the people and that with their support he would undertake any thing The Duke of Orlâ—ance was a long time before he could resolve what to do but at length his fears augmenting upon the news of Turenne's March he began to think it high time to resolve upon something However the diversity of opinions and particularly Beaufort's Threatnings put him to a stand besides that the Castles of Pontoise and St. Germans en Laye were propos'd to him But being beset with difficulties on every side he bethought himself of Marcoussy enclos'd between two Rivers surrounded with Moats full of water and strong enough to oppose as well the Enemies of the State as the Prince's Friends The principal Friends which the Prince had at Paris were the Duke of Nemours and the Count of Tavanes the first was his Rival for they both lov'd Madam de Chatillon which made it a wonder at first that the Duke should be so much concern'd for the Prince In short after the Princes were caâ—ry'd to 〈◊〉 the Dutchess of Chatillon had link'd her seâ—â— with the Princess Dowager of Conde and had so 〈…〉 her business that she had brought over 〈◊〉 to the Prince's Interest for whom in truth she had 〈◊〉 so great a kindness as for the Duke but lov'd him however well knowing he had a great 〈◊〉 for her 'T is true that it might be very probable that 〈…〉 not believe that the Dutchess of Chatillon acâ—ed for the Prince out of any principle of Love And perhaps it might be likewise true that the Dutchess did not solely act by that principle but thâ—t the Obâ—â—gations for which she was indebted to the Princeâ— thâ— Community of â—nterests and the 〈◊〉 she had to be ally'd to the first Prince of the 〈◊〉 might be stronger Motives to induce her to engage 〈◊〉 to take the Prince's side For the underâ—â—â—nâ—ing of which 't is necessary you should know That the Dutchess of Chatillon Daughter of 〈…〉 who lost his â—ead for fighting a Duel coâ—traâ—y to the Edicts of Lewiâ— XIII was marry'd to Gâ—spar Duke of Chatillon by the â—ntermediation and Câ—â—dit of the Prince tho he were himself in Love with heâ— before But because Gaspar de Coligny afterwardâ— Duke of Chaâ—illâ—n upon the Dâ—ath of his Father and his eldest Brotheâ— was in Love with Madam de Bâ—utteviâ—e Coligny besought the Duke to quit his pretension alledging â—hat he had a Design to 〈◊〉 her The Prince who was both a Friend and Kâ—nsman of Coligny's and one who had no other then a â—are design of Courtship upon the Lady besides that his Passion was but newly kindl'd made up scruple to resign his Amours and promis'd him that he would not only banish 'em from his thoughts but 〈◊〉 him against the Marshal his Father and his Kindred that oppos'd the Match In short notwithstanding all the Decrees of Parliament and all Obstacles that the Marshal laid in his way the Prince assisted Coligny so well that he caus'd him to carry away Madam de Boutteville by Force and lent him Twenty thousand Franks for his Subsistence Coligni carry'd his Mistress to Chesteau-Thierry where the Marriage being consummated the new-marry'd Couple retir'd to Stenay a place of Security which the Prince to whom it belong'd had lent 'em for their Residence Coligni's not being of Age when he married rendring the Marriage void yet being of Age upon his return to Paris there was a Contract of Marriage drawn up at Conde-House before the Lady's Relations and then they were marry'd again at Nostre-Dame by the Coadjutor Some time after Madam de Chatillon not finding her self well went to the Waters of Bourbon where the Duke of Nemours met her and fell in Love with her After which they lov'd each other with an extraordinary Passion insomuch thaâ— Nemours could refuse nothing that Madam de Chatillon demanded of him But to return to the Series of our History Nemours whom Love had engag'd on the Prince's side and â—avanes who was return'd incognito to Paris after the Surrender of Bellegarde made it their business to make Friendsâ— and upon the report of the Prince's being to be remov'd from Vincennes had got together all the Friends that possibly they could with Instructions to be ready to mount along with 'em upon the first call But when the Princes were remov'd from Vincennes to Marcoussy they were attended by such a numerous Guard that Nemours and Tavanes did not think it convenient to appear and so dismiss'd all those persons that
were come to join ' em The Prince during his Imprisonment at Vincennes had written a long and elegant Discourse to justifie his Innocency to all France and to all the world and to display the Malice of his Grand Enemy The beginning of this Discourse was put into the hands of a considerable person by a Soldier who being won by 〈◊〉 â— was wont to bring News how the Duke did and â—hen the Princes were carri'd to Marcoussy anothâ—r Soldier that escap'd in the hurry brought the Remiâ—der The Piece is nervously and eloquently compil'd and justifies that the Illustrious Author knew more then how to manage his Sword Had it not beeâ— so long as it is we would have inserted it in this History but it would almost compose a Tome of iâ— self 'T is enough to let you know That the Prince all along keeps within the Bounds of Respect to their Majesties and that without murmuring at theâ—â— Orders he discovers the Malice of those who had rais'd so great a Persecution against him and gives admirable and home Answers to all their false Accusations But thaâ— you may the better see both the Accusations â—â—d the principal Answers we shall here insert the King's Letter to the Parliament of Pâ—ris concerning the Prince's Imprisonment and another from a private person to the Parliament which answers the King's Letter very home without omitting any thing essential And this last Letter which appear'd some time before their Removal induc'd the Paâ—liâ—ment to seek all the most proper ways to releasâ— the Princes from such an Unjust Captivity The King's Letter to the Parliament of Paris touching the Imprisonment of the Princes THE Resolution which we have been forc'd to take by the Advice of the Queen Regent our mâ—sâ— Honour'd Lady and Mother to secâ—re our Persoâ—s from our Cousins the Princes of Conde and Conti and the Duke of Longueville is of that Importance for the Welfare of our Service that altho we owe to God alonâ— the Account of our Actions and oâ— the Administration of our Kingdom we thought however that we could not let both you and the Publick know too soon the Motives that induc'd 〈◊〉 to it to the end that all our Subjects being informâ—â— of the absolute Necessity which through the ill Conduct of those Princes and the Duke constrain'd us to proceed with so much Rigor to prevent the irreparable Mischiefs that threaten'd this Monarchy may all redouble their Affection and concur so far as lies in their power with us in that aim which we propose to our selves to establish a firm Tranquility within our Kingdom as having understood by experience to bring our Enemies to reason whose opposition to Peace proceeds from no other cause but only in hopes that the Divisions which have for some time vex'd this Kingdom will at length turn all things Topsie-turvie which by the Assistance of God we hope to prevent We promise our selves that the Remembrance which all Christendom will resume of the Moderation and Mildness of our Counsels which we have follow'd since our coming to the Crown which has been such that often what has proceeded from our natural Indulgence or Prudence for other stronger Reasons has been imputed to the weakness of our Government will convince every body That we had not had recourse to this last Remedy till after we had found all others were of no force And in truth when we were to deliberate upon the Arresting a Prince of our Blood whom we have always tenderly lov'd and who is otherwise highly to be valu'd for his many Noble Qualities a Prince so often victorious over his Enemies against whom he has so frequently signaliz'd his Courage Certain it is that tho he soon made an ill use of that Honour which we gave him the opportunity to purchase and that his proceedings in divers Enterprizes have given us just occasion from time to time to 〈◊〉 his Deâ—igns we could not without extreme 〈◊〉 determine his Imprisonment and we â—â—uld have wink'd at all the Imprudences of his evil Câ—â—â—â—ct but only the imminent danger that the Kiâ—gdom was in to be torn in piecesâ— and unless we 〈◊〉 palpably discern'd that considering the way which the said Prince took and wherein he made large steps every day one of these two mischiefs was inevitable Either the utter destruction or the Diâ—â—olution of this Monarchy by the ruin of our Authority upon the preservation of which principally dâ—pends the Tranquility and Happiness of the people which God has submitted to our Obedience It is so nâ—tural to all men to love their own works and to desire as much as in 'em lies the kind acceptation and merit of 'em that there is no body witâ—out doubt but will presume in regard we have afforâ—â—d opportunities to our Cousin by means of those Military Employments wherewith we have entrusted him to acâ—uire a high Reputation and for that we have â—eap'd upon his Family and his own Person Favours of all sorts no body we dare say will believe that unlâ—ss Necessity had compell'd us we would hâ—â—e been willing to have lost the fruits of all our Favoursâ— and to have depriv'd our selves of the Services which our Cousin might have done us both by his Counsels and Performances in times of difficulty such as are those of a long Minority had he not deâ—iated so far as he has done from the Path of his Dutyâ— or if he could have satisfy'd his Ambition with living the Richest Subject this day in Christendom And câ—â—tâ—inly upon due consideration of the vast Settlements that belong to his Family either in Employments or Governments of Provinces or great Towns in Lands or Ready-Money or Church Reâ—â—nues it must be acknowledg'd that so many Favourâ— nor so considerable as we have conferr'd upon our said Coâ—sin were never in so short a time bestow'd upon any one Family not to reck'n in ouâ—â—rants to his Relations and Friends at his Requesâ— and out of the Respect we had for him He cannot deny but that he holds at this day from our Bounty solely all that he enjoys of Places or Governments in regard all became vacant upon the Death of our Dear Cousin his Father and that it was in our full Power to have dispos'd of 'em to such other persons as we should have thought sit to have preferr'd before him But to go a little higher every body may call to mind how that so soon as the Queen Regent our most Honour'd Lady and Mother foresaw the Misfortune wherewith Heaven was about to afflict France by the loss of the Deceased King our most Honour'd Lord and Father and that there was no longer any hopes of recovering a Health so precious to the Kingdom she apply'd her self to obtain the good will of our said Cousins giving order so soon as she was design'd Regent in the King 's â—houghts to those in whom that Great Prince put greatest Confidence to make it their business to perswade him to confer
the Crown the Kingdom all things into his hands and that there was nothing too good or too great for him if he perform'd a Service so important to the Realm as to save that Minister and shelter him from the Thunder which you were ready to dart forth against him There are credible Testimonies who heard this Discourse between the Queen and the Prince of Conde and who are able to justifie how submissively the Prince receivâ—d her Promises of Reward assuring the Queen that her Interests were so dear to him that there was no need to encourage him by any other Motives to 〈◊〉 him to undertake the Protection of those who were so happy as to have hers Has he not kept his Word Did he not perform what he promis'd has he not preserv'd this Minister maugre all France and supported him almost against all the Provinces of the Kingdom Nevertheless after he had perform'd all the â—ignal Services which the Queen desir'd from his Courage and from his Obedience and for which she confess'd her self that she had nothing in the Kingdom fiâ— to gâ—â—tifie him she uses him like a Criminal While she her â—elf enforces him to make his Demands she accuâ—es him of Traiterous Pretensions As if she had only gone about to kindle his Ambition by Promises to â—he end she might have some Pretence to ruin him striving to perswade those that are ignorant of Affairs that he could not aspire to so many Employments but by Instigations not to be justify'd and in order to execute some pernicious Deâ—igns Is it not from such a motive as this that they would fain â—nfuse into him a desire of Sovereignty to the end they may have an opportunity to punish his apparent ambition and that they give out his ambition has no limits and that the interests of the Kingdom are not Moâ—â—ds strong enough to stop the impetuous motion of this torrent â—tis true that the Prince demanded leave of the Court to endeavour the Conquest of Franche Conâ—e but I beseech ye to examine with what circumstances and what encourag'd him to make that demand which seems to be so Criminal They were treating at Court with those of Nâ—ples to cast off their Allegiancâ— to the King of Spain and the Siâ—ur de Fontenay Maâ—euil â— the Kingâ—s Embassador at Rome had orders to manage that Affair An Army was promis'd 'em provided they would acknowledge France or receive one of the Princes of France for their King They demanded either the King himself or Monsieur his Brother or the Duke of Orleance or the Prince of Conde upon which the rest being past by the offer was made to the last The Prince who never neglected any thing when it was for the King's service and enlarging his Dominions gladly accepted the Proposal he openly oppos'd the desire they had to confer the Admiralty upon his Enemies who by means of that Employment out of â—â—articular motive of revenge might have obstructed the Execution of a design so important and of so graet advantage to Aggrandize the Kingdom Observe I beseech ye that in all this there was nothing done but by the approbation and impulse of the Court it self Sometime after this the Prince without any other design then to extend the bounds of this Empire in pursuance of an intention which had been made manifest to him propos'd the Conquest of Franche Contè as a thing of no less advantage to the State and wherein there was not much difficulty He offer'd to raise an Army at his own charges and as if he had foreseen the unjust pretensions which they might have of his Power he promises to resign the Government of Burgundy and all the strong holds that are in that Province His courage and his zeal for the King's Service causing him to prefer the Pains and Hardships to be undergone in the Conquest of a Country before the Tranquility which he enjoy'd in the peaceable Possession of that Province which had been given him for his Services after the Death of the Prince his Father Who could blame so generous a Design so advantageous for the Kingdom and so honourable for the Prince Thereupon the Proposal which he made in Council was joyfully embrac'd They declar'd to him that it was a Proposal becoming his Courage and at that time they call'd it a Heroic which is now term'd an Ambitious Design All those thoughts which he had conceiv'd for the enlarging the Kingdom were lookt upon â—hen wiâ—hout the least appearance of being conceiv'd â—or his particular Grandeur So that 't is no difficult thing to find many heads of an Accusation against him since his mosâ— noble Actions are his greatest Crimes and that all his design to aggrandize the Kingdom by his Conquests are so many false proofs of which his Enemies made use of to destroy him Who is there but may observe their pernicious manner of Reasoning to calumniate the Prince upon several pieces of advice which he gave upon the different Commotions of Guienâ—e and Provence They tell ye that in these two Affairs of the same nature he went about in one place absolutely to uphold the Authority of the Governor to the oppression of the Parliament and that in the other he acted quite contrary without any other reason but only that he had a kindness for one of the Governors and hated the other But they who set these things on foot are either bad or very malicious Politicians For they say these two Affairs were both of the same nature because they were both Provinces that had taken up Arms against the Authority of the Parliament But they are to understand that the least circumstance in such Affairs as these quite alters the nature of the thing and obliges those that debate upon the remedy of disorders to vary their Counâ—â—ls according to time and place and the humour of the People they have to deal with So that he who should take the same Counsel in one Affair as he took on the other would do like a Painter that should go about to draw one man's Face from another man's Picture because he had the same Parts But are these sorts of Politicks to be attributed peculiarly to the Prince of Conde Do not all Histories furnish us with examples of different Conducts in causing Revolted People to lay down their Arms Have we not seen some Princes make use of Mildness toward their Subjects to disarm â—em and others to use violent means We have also observ'd in Histories the same Princes employ different ways according to the various humours of the Subjects which they have to govern And it were in vain for Politicians to have found out the two ways of fear and gentleness to reduce a mutinous People if the same Conduct were to be observ'd upon all occasions and if both the one and the other were not to be made use of according to the different circumstances that offer themselves in the Disorders that are to be remedy'd Why
to venture his Person by doing Important Services for the Kingdom and by acquâ—ring Honour then by Tricks of Pusillanimity to protect himself from the Injustice of those that now seek to Revenge themselves upon his Power For my Lords he is Guilty of no other Crime but that a Polite Historian says one thing of Agricola which may be justly said of the Prince that Agricola was in perpetual Danger because he had acquir'd too much Honour and for that his Power gave unjust Suspicions to the Emperor Domitian who could not endure that a Subject should bear so Potent a Sway in the Empire Is not this the Prince's Crime Not that he has Attempted any thing against the State not that he has done any thing contrary to the Duty which he owes to the King's Service but they are afraid least such a Thought should enter the Mind of a Prince sufficiently powerful to put it in Execution when ever conceiv'd Therefore to obviate these pretended Disorders to cure the Minds of people of these Imaginary Apprehensions and which one would think he had destroy'd by all the Actions of his Life he submits himself to the Loss of all his Employments and to abandon all his Places and to despoil himself of all his Crimes by disrobing himself of all his Power After all this my Lords what reason can they have to detain this Prince in Prison By what Motives either just or so appearing What Disorder can his Liberty procure to the State Oâ— upon what Foundation can they ground their Apprehensions of his Power I shall make no stop at so many other feeble Accusations of which some are so weak that they destroy themselves such are those concerning the Fortifying of certain Places which they pretend were threaten'd by no Enemy and yet lye upon the Frontiers nor shall I trouble my self to make the Innocence of the Other Princes appear in regard they are only accus'd of sharing Counâ—els with the Prince of Conde or if any be particularly laid to their Charge they are so vain that they deserve no Answer But my Lords so far am I from defending 'em that I shall desire to inform you of two Crimes which are not laid to their Charge but which alone have render'd 'em guilty The one is common to both Princes and is no more then their having declar'd themselves Heads of the Parisian Party Now would your Lordships know why this Crime was pasâ— over in silence they were afraid lesâ— that should make you return to your selves and bethink your selves that being Embark'd in the same Party since those Princes had not taken Arms but iâ— your Defence you would without question incur the same Misfortune In a word ne're doubt but that e're it be long they will study the 〈◊〉 Revenge and that they had exercis'd it before now upon the whole Party could they have done it with the same security The Princes having lost the Aâ—â—â—ction of the People for being reconcil'd to the Câ—own the other having all along preserv'd themselâ—â—â— in their Favour for their hatred of Mâ—zariâ—â— The other Crime which they take notice of conâ—eâ—nâ— thâ— Person of the Duke of Longueville It has bâ—â—n no sâ—cret for a long timâ— that the Cardinal has been sâ—udying his Ruine and that he had been very diligent to bring the Peace to perfection I believe my Lords you very well know what pass'd at Munster the Duke of Longueville us'd his utmost Endeavours to bring the Peace to a Conclusion and the most to the Advantage of France that could be expected I suppose also you are sufficiently inforâ—'d of the Slights and Artifices that Mazarine made use of by the Means of one of his Creatures to disappoint the Prince's Glorious Design 'T is enough for me to tell you that that was the Duke of Loâ—â—â—â—ville's Crime and that the Prince had so worâ—â—ily Acquitted himself in that Negotiation that it seem'd as if Heaven had reâ—erv'd him to accomplish that Undertaking which he had so happily begun I know also that he openly declar'd that he might begin that Negotiation again and that he promis'd to himâ—â—â—f to make it more succesful then it had been Whiâ—â— was enough to render him guilty with Mazarâ—â—â— who is afraid of nothing more then the accomplishment of that Design and therefore 't was sufficienâ— to make him resolve the Imprisonment of a Prince that â—â—â—dy'd his Ruine because he labour'd so hard the Welfare of the State and the Peace of the Kingdom But my Lords I do not mind my justifying the Princes before persons who have not taken upon ' â—m as yet to be their Judges and who ought already to have pronounc'd the Sentence of their Liberty Will you suffer your selves to be reproach'd that after you had design'd to preserve the publick Security in the persons of some few of the Rabble who were illegally detain'd in Prisonâ— you should suffer it to be violated in the persons of three Princes at the same time If the Laws which ye have so long since establish'd and which your selves have renew'd by a solemn Declaration are unjust why do you with so much eagerness desire the execution of ' em If they are just why do you not cause 'em to be exactly observ'd For what reason should the Laws be less favourable to the Princes then to the King 's meaner Subjects Are they excepted in the Declaration that no body shall be arrested but they shall be immediately brought to their Trial Who can relie for the future upon your Decrees Moreover I beseech you consider that this Affair concerns your selves Do you believe that Cardinal Mazarine so soon as opportunity offers will be more favourable to several of yoâ—r Assembly then to the Prince Can you imagin that he will sooner forget the Decree which you made against him then the particular Affronts which he pretends to have receiv'd from that Prince Never believe his Violence will stop at the Imprisonment of the Princes but assure your selves that it will reach your August Assembly and make you sensible of it by the less'ning of your Authority and by falling foul upon the Persons of some in particular Should it so happen as I make no doubt of it if you do not apply necessary Remedies and stifle not the Mischief in the Birth what priviledge will you have to assemble how can you without some sort of shame do that for the freedom of some few persons of your Assembly which you are unwilling to undertake for the Liberty of three Princes tho' their Imprisonment be one of the boldest Actions that ever were adventur'd I beseech you to conâ—ider that this is but one of the Cardinal's Experiments who was willing to begin with the most considerable persons in the Kingdom to the end he may pretend to a kind of priviledge to use in the same manner all those whose Vertues have render'd 'em the Objects of his Revenge They who have hither escap'd his Tyranny are to
thank their good Fortune and not his favourable Intentions So that the Duke of Beaufort the Coadjutor and all their Friends may say what Caesar said to Ptolomy who presented him with Pompey's Head who fled for refuge into his Kingdom after the Battel of Pharsalia Thanks to my Victory they make to me those Presents which they would have made to Pompey had he been victorious If the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor had not preserv'd the Friendship of the People who have hitherto shelter'd 'em from the Oppressions of that Minister there is no question to be made but that if he thought he could have done it with the same security in Paris he had made the same sacrifice of their Liberty to the Prince which he pretends they would have made of his Let your August Assembly therefore be careful to preserve that Authority which has sav'd it hitherto from the Cardinal's Revenge let 'em consider that he will never forego his eager Desire to ruin it and by consequence that it behoves them to deprive him of the power to do it The only way is to prâ—serve that Vigour which you have made manifest upon the last Emergencies and not to release the least Tittle of that Strictness which has been so much to your Advantage and the abatement of which will be your utter Ruin This is that my Lords which puts us in hopes that you will not fail to take into your cognizance the Princes Case and decide a Question so important to the State There is nothing but what ought to encourage you to this Noble Resolution The Interest of the Kingdom ought to induce you not to be â—o long depriv'd of Persons so necessary for the support of it The Honour of your August Assembly engages ye to it The Laws which you have so lately renew'd and safety of your own Persons obliges ye to the same Resolution I shall add to these things the Testimonies of these Princes that they have no other Confidence but in you and that if they could act for their Liberty their Innocence would not permit 'em to have recourse to any other Ways then those of Justice Could they have been permitted time to have spoken to their Friends when their persons were secur'd I make no question but that they would have said the same that Germanicus said to his being ready to die the Death which was caus'd by Piso the most implacable of his Enemies If there are any among ye who are concern'd for my Death and who are desirous to give me other Marks of it then some unprofitable Tears there is room for complaining to the Senate and invoking the Vengeance of the Laws 'T is then in conformity to these Princes Intentions that I address my self to your August Assembly to demand Justice and to conjure ye to employ your utmost care to procure their Liberty 'T is the only means to strike a Terror into our Enemies to destroy the hopes which they build upon the Disorders which this Violent Attempt is about to bring upon the Kingdom and to restore Tranquility Peace and Happiness to the whole Realm The End of the First Tome MEMOIRS OF THE Prince of Conde BOOK IV. THE Court was highly incens'd at the News of the Princes being remov'd to Marcoussy The Cardinal acuss'd the Coadjutor of Paris of having advis'd the Duke of Orleance to remove them to that Place and hindred their being conducted to Havre de Grace according to his Intention He believ'd moreover that this Chief of the Faction of the Frondeurs or Slingers design'd to have the Princes wholly at his disposal in order to draw great Advantages thereby The Queen exclaim'd publickly against it and the Arrival of a Trumpet from the Arch-Duke with a Letter fill'd up with Propositions of Peace having oblig'd Monsieur to send the Baron of Verdeâ—onne to him and afterwards upon his Answer Monsieur D' Avaux the Cardinal complain'd highly that the Coadjutor had propos'd a Peace without his participation These two causes of Complaint were follow'd by a third which appear'd no less unjust Bourdeaux defended it self vigorously and the News that came from the Siege spoke the Success of it so doubtful that nothing seem'd more proper for the Reputation of the King's Arms than to save that City by a Treaty of Accommodation Therefore Monsieur sent for the King's Ministers and desir'd them to propose to the Parliament in his Name to send Deputies to Guienne about the Treaty Those Deputies were sent but not well receiv'd And others being sent again the Cardinal gave it out that the Coadjutor had hindred him by those Deputies from Chastising the Rebellion of the Bourdelois and that he frustrated all his Designs The Coadjutor being inâ—orm'd of these Complaints was neâ—led to find his Conduct blam'd at Court after having acted with so much sincerity and therefore went to Madame de Chevreuse who as we have already noted had contributed considerably towards the Imprisonment of the Princes and had ever since liv'd in a perfect Intelligence with the Cardinal He made great Complaints in his turn and told her that he could no longer keep any Measures and that he would look out for new Friends Madame de Chevreuse endeavour'd to make him alter his Resolution and to hinder him from breaking with the Court She represented to him that he ought not to credit bare Reports which perhaps were spread on purpose by the Princes Friends in order to divide the Party which was against them and that before he proceeded any further it would be proper for him to acquaint the Cardinal with his Intentions and to ask some Favours of him thereby to discover the real Intentions of his Eminency The Coadjutor opposd all this a long while telling her among other things that whatever fair Promises the Cardinal might make to him he would never resolve to procure him the Cardinals Cap which he desir'd In fine he consented at last that Madame de Chevreuse should request the said Cap of the Cardinal He consider'd that in case the Cardinal should grant her desire he should only be oblig'd to her for it and that if he should deny her his Refusal would enable him to draw her off from the Cardinal's Interest Madame de Chevreuse accordingly writ to the Cardinal urging all the Reasons that should oblige him to procure a Cardinal's Cap for the Coadjutor The Cardinal made an Answer which indeed did not import a direct refusal but yet contain'd nothing beyond bare Complements and some Words which only afforded very distant hopes During these Transactions all things tended towards an Accommodation in Guienne The Court desir'd a Peace by reason that they fear'd the Event of the Siege of Bourdeaux the Resistance of which was the more obstinate because they expected Succours from Spain and from the Marshal de La Force who was upon the point of declaring himself On the other hand whereas the Parliament of
Monsieur le Tellier said that the King's Coffers were so much exhausted that all Expences were to be avoided and that there were places in the Kingdom in which the Princes might be securely Guarded by the Garrison only Several were propos'd before Havre was mention'd but some Inconveniencies or other being found in all of them it was finally propos'd Monsieur opposed it violently by reason that he remembred that but three Months before when the Princes were to be remov'd from Vincennes elsewhere the Coadjutor and the Duke of Beaufort refused to consent to their being remov'd to that place and had protested to oppose it with all their might in case it were attempted The Cardinal seeing that Monsieur declar'd that he would not consent to their being carry'd to that place reply'd that the Queen who was to give him notice of her Designs was not oblig'd to follow his Sentiments Monsieur had much ado not to flye out to some Extremity against his Eminency The Queen assum'd the Discourse again immediately and press'd Monsieur anew either to take the Princes into his own Custody or to permit them to be remov'd to Havre assuring him that he should have as much Authority there as in Marcoussy and that the Princes should be guarded by the same Person who was engag'd not to deliver them unless by hers and his Orders and by a Command Sign'd by both To this the Queen added very earnest entreaties insomuch that Monsieur yielded to what she desir'd Within a few hours after this a Man of Quality representing to Monsieur the Importance and Consequences of that Removal and the Prejudice he would receive by it he immediately sent to Monsieur Le Tellier to Command him not to dispatch the said Orders But the Cardinal who dreaded this change of Mind had order'd Monsieur Le Tellier to remove from Fâ—ntainbleau and not to return till Night during which time the Orders were dispatch'd to De Bar all things were disposd for the departure of the Princes and the Forces destin'd to Conduct them being arriv'd at Marcoussy put themselves on their March with them towards Havre Monsieur Le Tellier being return'd home was oblig'd to wait upon Monsieur who forbid him sending any Orders to De Bar. Monsieur Le Tellier answeâ—'d that the Princes went away in the Morning and were upon their March whereupon the Duke of Orleance express'd a great deal of Anger he sent immediately for the Lord-Keeper and after having express'd his Resentment to him he told him that he could not approve this Removal and that the Queen to whom he had not been able to refuse it should vanquish him by Reason and not by Pâ—ayers The Queen made him some Reproaches about it at Night and Monsieur being unwilling to fall out with her the Princes were conducted to Havre on the fifteenth of November by Count d' Harcourt who by that Emyloyment so much below his Birth and Courage blasted the Lawrels of his most Famous Victories The Princes Friends and Servants were sensibly concern'd at this Removal especially because the Measures they had taken for their Rescue were thereby absolutely defeated They had for a considerable while cunningly establish'd a Correspondence with their Guards and had omitted nothing to gain them Moreover they had gain'd some of the Inferiour Officers who had made themselves sure of a certain number of Souldiers besides four of the seven Guards which commonly tarry'd in the Anti-chamber A Corps de Guard of Fourteen Men was kept under the Prince of Conde's Window upon a Terrass adjoyning to a Pond They had resolv'd to launch a Boat made of Leather into it which the Workman was to conduct close to the said Terrass The day being set the four Guards of the Anti-chamber who had been gain'd were to seize the Arms of the others and to dispatch them in case of Resistance Those of the Chamber were to be stab'd at the same time with Daggers that had been convey'd to the Prince who afterwards being favour'd by the Corps de Guard of the Terrass was to get out of his Window into the Boat and should have been drawn out of the Ditch by Arnauld and receiv'd by a Body of Horse commanded by the Duke of Nemours But unfortunately some of those who were most zealous for the Princes being heated with Wine or an inconsiderate Zeal declar'd publickly in Paris that those Illustrious unfortunate Princes ought to be rescu'd out of Marcoussy which the Duke of Orleance being acquainted with he immediately dispatch'd new Orders to de Bar to double his Guards because there was some Plot on foot This Man executed Monsieur's Orders and made use of his Adviceâ— To the seven former Guards of the Anti-chamber he added three new ones whereby the Prince judging that the Plot was discover'd he immediately acquainted his Friends therewith desiring them at the same time not to put it in Execuâ—ion Some days after it de Bar no longer fearing any thing restor'd things to their former state and remov'd the three new Guards The Prince gave his Friends notice of it and as they were preparing to execute their Design the Order came to Marcoussy to carry the Princes to Havre After their being carry'd thither the Cardinal pull'd off his Mask and judging himself above any Cabals he directly refus'd to procure the Cardinal's Cap Madame de Chevreuse had so often requested of him for the Coadjutor This proceeding of the Cardinal 's extreamly exasperated both Madame de Chevreuse and the Coadjutor and disposed them to side with those who desired the Liberty of the Princes nay moreover to use their utmost Endeavours with Monsieur to incline him to do the same At that time the Garrison of Rhetel committing great Devastations in Champayne and those Devastations affording the Cardinal's Enemies an occasion to complain of his Conduct he departed on the first of October to besiege that place which Monsieur de Turenne had made himself Master of sometime before with the Army he commanded which was composed of the Spanish Forces those of Lorrain and of such of the Princes he had been ablâ— to preserve He was received in all the Cities of Champayne with such demonstrations of Honour and Respect as extreamly surpriz'd the Princes Friends He stay'd some days at Chalons in order to hasten all necessary Preparations while the Forces assembled which were to form an Army of Twelve Thousand Men to be Commanded by the Marshal Du Plessis Praslin When the said Army was assembled about Reims Monsieur de Turenne fatigu'd it by such frequent Skirmishes and by such vigorous Attacks that he forc'd it to Encamp within the City it self where it remain'd several days without the leaâ—â— Action in expectation of the Cardinal As soon as he was arrived it was resolv'd to March strait to Rhetel and to Besiege it This succeeded sooner and better than they had believ'd The Treachery and Cowardice of Delli Ponti Governour of
the said Place broke all Monsieur de Turenne's Measures for Delli Ponti having promisd to hold out a considerable time that Marshal had taken Measures with the Spaniards to succour him His Design was to March strait to Rhetel and to perform one of these two things that is either to oblige the Marshal Du Plessis to raise the Siege or to Attack the separate Quarters of his Army But while he was marching at the Head of the Spanish Army to execute that Design Delli Ponti surrender'd the Place by Composition six days sooner than he had promised which having obliged him to advance in haste he was constrained to Fight with disadvantage and lost the Battle which is called the Battle of Somme Suip which was fought on the 15 th of December near Rhetel Monsieur de Bouteville Brother to Madame de Chatillon having fought with a great deal of Gallantry under Monsieur de Turenne's Standards was taken Prisoner from which the Cardinal expected to draw considerable Advantages as it appear'd by a Letter written by him to Monsieur Le Tellier upon the Account of the Battle In effect his being taken afforded the Cardinal an occasion to Negotiate with Madame de Chatillon under pretence of Treating about her Brotheâ—'s Liberty and such a Treaty could not fail of giving his Enemies new disquiets by reason that it could not be concluded unless Madame de Chatillon engag'd to abandon the Prince's Interests which her Love and Relation to him rendred so dear to her and to make Monsieur de Nemours forsake them also she disposing absolutely of him as his Mistress In the mean while the Cardinal after so considerable a Victory return'd in Triumph to Paris and appeared so puffed up with it that it renew'd the disgust and dread of his Domination in all People and rouz'd the Publick Envy and Hatred against him in so much that what at first was a cause of Affliction to the Princes Party prov'd very fatal in the sequel to Cardinal Mazarin nay more the principal cause of the Liberty of the Princes by reason that the Frondeurs dreading that the gain of the Battle of Rhetel would make the Cardinal too Powerful prevail'd with Monsieur to quit the Interests of the Court and altogether resolv'd to set the Princes at Liberty and to turn out the Cardinal They had immediately in order thereunto several Meetings with the President Viole Arnaud and some others who had received an absolute Power to Treat from the Princes Monsieur refer'd the care of adjusting the Conditions upon which they might consent to put them at Liberty to the Coadjutor The Coadjutor began first by securing his own Interests and would have Madame de Longueville to be a Security for them whereupon Messengers were immediately dispatch'd to Stenay She offer'd to sign even by the consent of the Spaniards and the Sixteenth of Ianuary the Princes having sent their Procurations to the Princess Palatin the Treaty of the Coadjutor was concluded And whereas it behov'd him as well as Madam de Chevreuse to be very cautious to secure themselves against the remembrance of a most sensible Outrage committed against a Prince equally endued with Wit and Courage and that nothing but the strongest Tyes could reunite such divided Interests it was farther required that the Prince of Conty should Marry Mademoiselle de Chevreuse and that a sincere Accommodation should be made between the Princes and the Coadjutor the Duke of Beaufort and their Friends together with a general Oblivion of all that was past and a Faithful Union for the future Monsieur de Beaufort likewise demanded a considerable Sum of Money for Madame de Montbazon which the Prince should be obliged to procure her from the Court or else to pay it her out of his own Estate And as to what related to his own Interests he did not forget to make him renounce the Admiralty By the Duke of Orleance's Treaty it was propos'd That the Duke D' Enguien should Marry Mademoiselle de Vallois Monsieur's Third Daughter That the Prince should require no Favours for his Servants That he should be link'd to his Royal Highness's Interests towards all and against all and that he should require no Employments for himself All these Proposals together with others that were no less vexatious were accepted by the Prince who might say with Justice that by those different Treaties he was constrained to consent to he did not become free but only chang'd his Chains and was free of the Cardinal 's to receive many others All things being thus regulated Monsieur Madame de Chevreuâ—e the Coadjutor the Duke of Beaufort all the Frondeurs and the Parliament declar'd openly in several Assemblies for the Liberty of the Princes at which time Monsieur resolv'd to break absolutely with the Cardinal He met with a very favourable Occasion to do it on the First of February in the Council upon a certain Discourse of his Eminency against the Parliament which he accus'd of having Designs against the King like unto those of the Parliament of England The dangerous Impressions such Discourses might make upon the King's Youth and his Royal Highnesses Affection to the State together with his Knowledge of the People and Parliament's Loyalty obliged him to Answer That the Parliament was compos'd of none but such as were Faithful and Loyal to the King and that those he call'd Frondeurs were not the less Loyal thô Enemies to his Person The Cardinal continuing to speak upon the same Tone and to exclaim against the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor Monsieur went out of the Council not to be dis-respectful in the Queen's Presence and took a firm Resolution never to enter into the Council or Palais Royal while that Minister should be there and afterwards acquainted the Queen with his Resolution in which he always persisted The Cardinal perceiving that all things concurr'd for the Liberty of the Princes and that so many Secret Treaties were forming among their Partisans between Monsieur and the Faction of the Fronde and that those very Persons who desir'd the Princes Liberty were at the same time very earnest for his removal and his Ruin The Cardinal I say in consideration of all these Reasons resolv'd to retire to St. Germans He went out of Paris the Night between the sixth and seventh of February between Eleven and Twelve through the Gate of Richelieu accompany'd only by three Men. It is true that Count Harcourt tarried for him with Two Hundred Horse to conduct him to St. Germans The Cardinal propos'd by his Retreat to oblige the Duke of Orleance to go to the Palace Royal and to give the Queen the means to perswade him to alter his Mind and change his Party and perhaps in case of a Refusal to secure him And in case Monsieur should persist in not going to the said Palace and refuse to confer with the Queen and if those who had espous'd the Princes
Interests and were firmly united for their Liberty should continue to be earnest for their being taken out of Prison his Eminency was resolved to go to Havre in order to set the Princes at Liberty himself without any Conditions thereby to engage the Prince of Conde to afford him his Protection and to engage him in his Interests by those good Offices to prevent the Perils that threatned him and to render all the Secret Treaties that had been made vain and useless as well as the Endeavours of those who only pursued his Liberty upon very disadvantageous Terms on his side particularly one which depriv'd him of his Governments until the King's Majority Monsieur still persisted in not going to the Palace Royal notwithstanding the Cardinal 's being remov'd from thence and all the Promoters of the Princes Liberty redoubled their Cares and Entreaties in order to obtain it The last Assembly that was held upon that Subject was at the Palace of Orleance It was composed of Monsieur and Madame de Chevreuse the Lord-Keeper the Marshal of Villeroy Monsieur Le Tellier the Duke de la Rochefoucault the President Viole Monsieur Arnaud the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor After some contestations they finally agreed upon the Conditions of the Treaty and at the same time resolv'd that the Duke de la Rochefoucault the President Viole Monsieur Arnaud and Monsieur de la Villiere Secretary of State should go to Havre with a Signet Letter Sign'd by the Queen and Monsieur to put the Princes at Liberty The Cardinal being inform'd with the Resolution of that Assembly which was held immediately after Dinner he set strait forward towards Havre in order if possible to prevent the Deputies and travelled all Night he arrived there on the 13 th of February in the Morning As soon as he entred the Cittadel he deliver'd a Letter from the Queen to De Bar who commanded there whereby he was ordered to do whatever his Eminency should desire for the Liberty of the Princes After this he waited upon the Prince whom he salutedâ— telling him Sir I come from Her Majesty to restore you your Liberty Forget your Prison love the King and believe me ever your Servant The Prince answered That he thank'd the Queen for the Justice she did him that he would forget what was past and that he would still continue to maintain and promote as he had ever done the Interest of the King and State After this the Cardinal had a Conference with the Princes which lasted above an hour The only Account we have of it is That the Cardinal endeavour'd at first to Justifie himself telling them the Reasons that had induc'd him to secure them And that in the next place he desired their Friendship adding haughtily that they were free to grant it or refuse it and that upon any Terms they might go out of Havre that very moment and repair where ever they pleas'd Apparently the Princes promis'd him whatever he desir'd He din'd with them about Ten a Clock and after a short Repast he had a private Conference with the Prince to whom he said after some other Discourse that the Duke of Orleance had contributed much to his Imprisonment at the Coadjutor's Sollicitation and that therefore the safest way for his Highness was to joyn entirely with the King and Queen in order to ruin the Faction of the Frondeurs That all the good Places that were in his Friends Possession should be his provided he would be for Their Majesties and that as to what related to the Government his Highness might Discourse with Monsieur de Lionne about it to whom he had imparted all his Secrets The Cardinal attended him to his Coach and in presence of the Princes of Conty and Longueville who were got into it before he humbled himself to embrace his Knees and to beg his Protection with Tears in his Eyes against his Enemies After this the Princes went away accompany'd by the Marshal de Gramont and lay Three Leagues off at a House called Grosmenil in the way from Havre to Roans where the Deputies afore-mentioned arrived a moment after them with Orders from the Court who could not come sooner by reason of a Difference between Monsieur de la Urilliere and Monsieur Le Tellier Monsieur Le Tellier was desirous to have the Commission of going to Havre in order to make his Court to the Prince and to enter into his Favour again and the other likewise pretended to it because Normandy was within his District The Difference was adjudg'd in favour of the last The Princes departed next Morning from Grosmenil for Paris where they arrived on the 16 th at Night It is impossible to express the general Joy that appear'd in that great City at their Arrival The best part of the Souldiers and Inhabitants wept for Joy at sight of the Prince of Conde and all strove to out-do each other in their different expressions of iâ— He receiv'd proofs of that Publick Joy even at Pontoise where abundance of Persons of the greatest Quality met him He was met by a great many more at St. Dennis all the way was so throngd with Coaches and People that one could not sufficiently admire how such a general Joy could be occasion'd by the Liberty of a Man whose Imprisonment but thirteen or fourteen Months before had been so agreeable to every body The Duke of Orleance met the Princes between La Chapelle and St. Dennis and by the precipitation wherewith he ran to embrace the Prince he discovered the reality of the Complement he made him which was that he had never been so transported with Joy as he was at that moment nor had ever done any Action with so much Satisfaction The Prince made him an Answer as to the Authoâ— of his Liberty Monsieur having in the next place embrac'd the Prince of Conty and the Duke of Longueville presented the Duke of Beaufort and the Coadjutor whom he had brought along with him to the Prince of Conde who received them very kindly after which the Prince got into the Duke of Orleance's Coach together with the Prince of Conty the Duke of Longueville the Duke of Beaufort the Coadjutor the Marshal de la Motte and the Prince of Guimene They lighted at the Palais Royal amidst all the Acclamations of the People Monsieur presented the Princes to the King and Queen whom he had not visited himself until the day before There appeared more Complements and Civilities at that first Interview than Tenderness and real Reconciliation They found the Queen upon her Bed with whom they tarry'd but little after having return'd her Thanks for the Justice she had done them in â—estoring them to their Liberty Monsieur return'd to his own Palace of Luxemburg and the Prince went to make a Visit to the Duke of Nemours and that very Evening he waited upon the Dutchess of Orleance and express'd a great deal of Obligation to her
the Weakness of a Minority a Tumultuous Regency a Council exposâ—d to Intrigues and Cabals Seeds of Division Great Malecontents the Agitation of the Court and the Exhausting of the People made Spain conceive approaching hopes of the total Ruin of France The Valour of the Prince of Conde at that time Duke of Enguien apply'd a Remedy to all those Evils by the gain of a Battle on which the Safety or Ruin of the State depended By this Victory he effectually sav'd the Realm he calm'd it he encouragâ—d it and as it were gave it new Life he became the Support of the Monarchy and strengthen'd the dawning Authority of the Young Monarch That memorable Day was follow'd with a Torrent of Prosperity for France of Conquests Battels gain'd Cities taken c. All the Campains that succeeded this by the Singularity of the Enterprizes that were form'd and executed by the Duke d' Enguien equall'd or surpass'd the most surprizing things we meet with in History The Battels of Fribourg and Nortlingue so celebrated through the obstinate Resistance of the Enemies and the Invincible Difficulties that oppos'd the attacking of them Those Battles which may very well be compar'd to those of Arbella and Pharsalia alarm'd and terrify'd the very Heaâ—t of the Empire and finally forc'd Germany to desire a Peace on such Conditions as France was pleas'd to allow it The Battle of Lens yet more Glorious and Triumphant placing the Prince of Conde in the just and indisputable possession of being the Hero of his Age â—ais'd at the same time the great and signal Obligations he had laid upon the Court to the highest degree which after that Battle committed a world of Faults without him and was only sav'd by him in the War of Paris And yet notwithstanding all this at a time when all his Designs all his Vertues and all his Actions only tended to the King's Service and the Grandeur of the Kingdom of which he was the chief Ornament he was Imprison'd because his Conduct in some Occasions had not appear'd sufficiently Respectful towards the Queen and that he had not all the Complaisance for the Cardinal which that Minister desiâ—'d whom he had the misfoâ—tune to displease by the impetuosity of his Temper which he could not Master the which aâ— most could only be look'd upon as Court Faults and not Crimes of State capable of obliterating the Important Services rendred by a first Prince of the Blood Therefore it is no wonder that after his being put at Liberty again and return'd to Paris the People express'd their Joy and receiv'd him in Triumph as if he had been newly return'd from gaining the Battles of Rocroy Fribourg Nortlingue and Lens But unfortunately his Glory which had appear'd with such a Lustre in so many different manners was afterwards tarnish'd by a very blameable Conduct For finally he excited a Civil War and took up Arms against his Soveraign Moâ—eover be acted with so much Imprudence in that War and committed so many Capital Faults that thereby he fell infinitely short of those Great Men who by a wise Conduct and well-contriv'd Measures archiev'd the highest and most difficult Enteâ—prizes Not but at the same time the Court also committed very considerable Faults and that both Parties maintain'd themselves more through the Faults of each other than by any good Conduct on their sideâ— But that does not justifie the Prince especially if we consider that thereby he ruin'd his own Party and made the Court Triumph It is most certain that had the Prince been endu'd with all Caesar's Qualifications he should have succeeded in all his Enterprizes Caesar had a consuminated Prudence all his steps were measur'd in so much that he never did any thing without mature deliberation managing his Zeal and being more affected with the Solid than the Exterior part being very cautâ—ous in all difficult Affairs and never wanting a Remedy in the most troublesome Conjunctures Few Persons have ever been known with so much Equality in their Life so much Moderation in their Fortune and so much Clemency when injur'd He gain'd the Affection of all People by his Goodness and Mildness Those who were Familiar with him and did espouse his Interests neither dreaded his Anger or Capricio's He was Liberal and Magnificent towards the People towards his Friends and even towards his very Enemies He compass'd his Ends by Mild Insinuating Cunning Secret means The Prince of Conde did not possess those Qualities He was of an unequal Temper he was Rough Difficult and Haughty and an Enemy to Precaution He could not moderate himself in his Prosperity or Fortune He was Passionate and Revengeful He did not acknowledge considerable Services and when he did there was no certainty of the continuation of his Gratitude He was not very sincere to his Friends not even to those thaâ— were most Illustrious and most necessary to him He made Treaties without them he often neglected their most considerable Interests and only minded his own Neither was he very Liberal or Magnificent He did not consult or manage the Temper of the People and took no great care to gain their Love He could not Dissemble neither could he Act in great Affairs with Cunning and Secrecy In short he rely'd too much upon his own Valour Merit Reputation and Quality and neglected other things that 〈◊〉 â—â—cessary for the execution of great Undertakiâ—◠〈◊〉 I shall not mention the Errors he committed in this place the Reader will sufficiently observe them in the faithful orderly recital I shall make of the principal Actions and Events But before I proceed any farther because I am now to treat about the most considerable Point of this History and that by reason of the partiality of those who have left us Memoirs about it it is very difficult to distinguish the real Sentiments of the Prince whose Life we are now writing I will set down as a necessary Foundation that the Prince of Conde came out of Prison with Sentiments of Vengeance not only against Cardinal Mazarin Madame de Chevreuse and against the Frondeurs who had only promoted his Liberty upon disobliging Considerations and very hard Conditions but also against the Queen and against the King I do not think any body can blame me for what I advance since the Prince himself after the Civil War was ended and he receiv'd into Favour again condemning his Conduct and former Sentiments declar'd with Candor to some Persons of Honour and Credit That he was the most Innocent man alive when put into Prison and the most Guilty at his coming out of it Alas pursu'd he with grief Before that unhappy Prison I aâ—m'd at nothing but the King's Service and the Grandeur of the State In so much that the Valour Activity and Imperious Humour together with all the extraordinary Qualifications the Prince was endu'd with were like unto those matters from which Exhalations are form'd which matters serve for coâ—siderable uses but being
once turn'd into Exhalations and enclos'd within the Clouds being attracted thither by the heat of the Sun they seldom get out of them again unless it be to strike the most elevated Places and to overthrow the 〈◊〉 Sumptuous Buildings and to cause terrible Disoâ—â—â—â—â— So likewise the Prince of Conde's Valour and Courage before his Imprisonment were only employ'd for the Good of the Kingdom and the Glory of his Soveraign but after his being put at Liberty all those Heroical Qualities were employ'd on very different Uses and whereas before he had been the Hope Support and Joy of the State he became the Terror of it all on a sudden he attack'd the Royal Authority and kindled a Civil War which caus'd great Disorders as will appear by the sequel of this History After the return of the Princes to Paris their Imprisonment was declar'd unjust by the Parliament and a new Decree was given against Cardinal Mazarin This Decree of the Parliament was terrible it condemned that Minister to a perpetual Banishment and commanded all Frenchmen to fall upon him if ever he appear'd in the Kingdom and at the same time confiscated all he hadâ— During these Transactions the Queen passionately desir'd the Cardinal's return and try'd all means to dispose the Prince to consent to it To that end she offer'd him by the Princess Palatin all manner of Advantages for himself and for his Friends But â—e only answer'd those fine offers with Complements which engag'd him to nothing But yet in the sequel the Queen being very pressing to oblige him to express himself he promised to Treat whether it were that he had no mind to break so soon with the Queen and had a mind to carry until things were more favourably dispos'd in his favour to have a more plausible pretence of breaking publickly or whether he were really dispos'd to treat in hopes of obtaining for himself and for his Friends the most considerable Employments and Governments â—nd thereby put himself in a condition of doing whatever he pleas'd However he desir'd the Treaty might be kept secret and so did the Queen The Queen fear'd to augment the Diffidence of Monsieur and of the Froâ—deâ—rs and to swerve too soon and without the least pretence from all the Declarations she had just granted the Parliament against the Cardinal's return The Prince on his side was afraid his Friends would be angry at his Treating without their participation that the Duke of Bouillon and the Marshal of Turenne would quit his Interests that the Frondeurs and the Dutchess of Chevreuse would grow his irreconcileable Enemies and that the Parliament and the People would on a sudden reflect on the dreadful Image of the last War of Paris Therefore they us'd all the Cautions imaginable to Treat secretly The Prince went to the Princess Palatin whom the Queen had chosen to manage the Treaty She was of the House of Mantua and Sister to the Queen of Poland The Count of Servient and Monsieur de Lionne likewise met there from the Queen The Prince would have the Duke de la Rochefoucault present and did nothing without the consent of the Prince of Conty his Brother and the Dutchess of Longueville his Sister The first Project of the Treaty which was propos'd by the Princess Palatin was That Guienne should be given to the Prince and that the Lord Lieutenancy thereof should be given to whatever Friend of his he should be pleas'd to choose That the Prince of Conty should have the Government of Provence And that Gratifications should be made to such as had been engag'd in the Prince's Interests That nothing should be desir'd of him but barely to retire into his Government with whatever Forces of his own he should think fit for his own Security That he should remain there without contributing to Cardinal Mazarin's return but that he should not oppose the King's Endeavours in order thereunto anâ— that whatever happen'd the Prince should be free to be his Friend or Enemy according as his Conduct should give him cause to love or hate him Those Conditions were not only confirm'd but augmented by Messieurs de Servient and de Lionne For at the Prince's desire that the Government of Blaye might be added to the Lord Lieutenancy of Guienne for the Duke de la Rochefoucault they gave him all the hopes of it he could desire They only desir'd time to treat with the Duke d' Angouleme about the Government of Provence and to dispose the Queen to grant Blaye But apparently it was only to give the Cardinal an Account of what past and to receive his Orders He was at that time at Brueil in the Arch-Bishoprick of Cologne and the Queen consulted him as an Oracle This Affair remain'd some time without being discover'd but he who had been chosen to conclude it soon occasion'd an entire breach and drove things to the utmost Extremities Monsieur de Chavigny who was lately recall'd and plac'd into the Ministry again was a Mortal Enemy to the Cardinal and being at that time the Prince's chief Confident soon dispos'd him to break off the Treaty with the Queen against the Advice of Madame de Longueville the Princess Palatin and the Dukes de Bouillon and de la Rocâ—efoucault Messieurs de Servient and de Lionne at the same time were imbroil'd on both sides about this Negotiation and afterwards were both turn'd out The Queen deny'd her having ever hearken'd to the Proposition about Blaye and accus'd Servient of having made it on purpose to raise the Prince's Demands so high that it should be impossible for her to grant them As for the Prince his Complaints against the Count of Servient were That he had treated with him from the Queen about Conditions that were unknown to her or that he had made so many vain Propositions to him to amuse him under pretence of a sincere Treaty which in effect was only a premeditated Design to Ruin him Although the Count of Servient was suspected on both sides it did not lessen the Animosity which began to arise between the Queen and Prince it was almost equally fomented by all those who came near them Some represented to the Queen that the Division between the Prince and Madame de Chevreuse about the breach of the Marriage between the Brother of the one and the Sister of the other would certainly reconcile the Frondeurs to the Cardinal's Interests and that all things would be soon reduc'd to the state they were in when the Prince was seiz'd He on the other hand was induc'd to break with the Court by many different Interests He found no longer any Safety with the Queen who did nothing without the Cardinal's consent and he dreaded to be involv'd into his former disgraces again Madame de Longueville was sensible that the Cardinal had made an irreconcileable Breach between her Husband and her and that after the impressions he had given him against
of the Spaniards in promising in general a great deal more than could reasonably be desir'd of him and omitted nothing to engage the Prince to take up Arms. On the other hand the Queen had made a new Engagement with the Coadjutor who was strangely animated against the Prince by reason that he had perswaded the Prince of Conty not to Marry Mademoiselle de Chevreuse and that he had seconded with all his might a Declaration which excluded all Cardinals and all Prelates in general from the Ministry This Engagement between the Queen and the Coadjutor was kept secret by reason that the Queen could expect no Service from the Frâ—ndeurs but by their Credit with the People the which they could preserve no longer than while they were look'd upon as Enemies to the Cardinal Both Parties equally found their Security in ruining the Prince Nay some proffer'd the Queen to kill or seize him She abhorr'd the first Proposition and willingly consented to the second The Coadjutor and Monsieur de Lionne met at the Count of Montresor to agree about the means to execute that Enterprize They concluded that it was fit to attempt it but resolv'd nothing as to the time or manner of executing it Monsieur de Lionne discover'd this Design to the Marshal of Gramont who communicated it to Monsieur de Chavigny and he immediately to the Prince The Prince for some time imagin'd that this Report was only spread on purpose to make him quit Paris and that it would be a weakness below him to be alarm'd at it especially since the People took his part to that degree that he was continually accompany'd by an infinite number of Officers of the Army by those of his own Forces by his Attendants and by his particular Friends For these Reasons he chang'd nothing as to his Conduct excepting his ceasing to go to the Louvre Moreover he accidentally deliver'd himself up one day into the King's Power he happening to be in his Coach in the Ring at a time when the King came through 〈◊〉 returning from Hunting follow'd by his Guards 〈◊〉 Chevâ—ux Legers However this Encounter did 〈◊〉 produce the Effect the Prince had reason to 〈◊〉 for the King continu'd his way and none of â—â—ose that were with him bethought themselves to â—dvise him about it without doubt because they â—ere surpriz'd as the French always are The King â—bserving the Prince's Coach to pass by hastily â—ithout stopping as all Coaches are oblig'd to do â—hen they meet His Majesty's only utter'd these â—ew words with a Tone and Air that may be â—magin'd I will teach that Gentleman his Duty The Prince continu'd his way with speed out of the Ring not to give the King time to form any Design against him The Queen and the Frondeurs easily comforted themselves at the missing of so fair an Opportunity in hopes of seeing their Project soon succeed In the mean time the continual Advices the Prince receiv'd from all Parts began to perswade him that the Court intended to secure him However he continu'd some time longer to neglect the taking proper measures to avoid it alâ—hough all his Friends were very sollicitous for his so doing In fine after having so long resisted the wholsom Advice of his Friends he was at last alarm'd without a cause Talking in his Bed with one Monsieur de Vineuil he receiv'd a Note from a Gentleman who acquainted him that two Companies of the Guards were under Arms and going to march towards the Fauxbourg of St. Germans This News made him believe they design'd to Invest the Hâ—stel of Conde which stands in that Suburb Insomuch that without calling to mind that those Companies were often employd to Guard the Gates to cause the Duties of Entrance to be paid which was the end for which they were commanded at that time he imagin'd they had a Design against his Person It is certain that in a Manifesto which appear'd soon after to justifie his removal from Paris he dâ—â—clar'd that besides the movement of the Regimenâ— of Guards two or three hundred Persons had been observ'd moving to and fro that Night in the said Suburb All this then being preceded by the Advices of his particular Friends he took Horse in a hurry and left Paris only attended by seven 〈◊〉 eight Men. Being accompany'd by that inconsideâ—rable number at his going out he was encountred by Two Hundred of Mazarin's Friends arm'd who notwithstanding durst not undertake any thing against him and let him pass by He tarry'd some time in the Road for News from the Prince of Conty to whom he had sent Notice of what past But a second pleasant Alarm oblig'd him to quit his Post. Hearing the noise of a great number of Horses which mov'd towards him on a Troâ— he fancy'd it was a Squadron in pursuit of him and therefore retir'd towards Fleuri near Meudon However it prov'd that they were only Haglers who travell'd all Night towards Paris As soon as the Prince of Conty was inform'd that his Brother was retir'd from Paris he acquainted the Duke de la Rochefoucault with it who went to joyn the Prince but the Prince sent him back immediately to Paris to acquaint the Duke of Orleance from him with the subject of his removal to St. Maur. The Princess the Prince of Conti and Madame de Longueville arriv'd there almost as soon as the Prince And in the first days that Court was as considerable and as full of Persons of Quality as the King 's moreover he provided all manner of Divertisements to serve his Policy as Balls Plays Gaming Hunting and good Chear which drew a world of wavering Persons thither which always offer themselves at the forming of Parties and commonly betray or forsake them according to â—heir Fears or Hopes However it was judg'd that this great number of People might break the Meaâ—ures the Court might have taken for the Besieging of St. Maur and that this Croud which on any oâ—her occasion would have been useless and troublesome would be of use in this and serve to give some Reputation to their Affairs During these Transactions the Marshals of Gramont and of Villeroy continually mov'd to and fro from the Queen to endeavour to accommodate those Affairs The Prince was long before he would admit them in private and told them that there was no Safety for him in Paris and that he would never find any there while Mazarin govern'd the Court as he did by Le Tellier Servient and Lionne That the Cardinal did not live at Breuil like an Exile but as an Oracle that was continually consulted against him That having suffer'd so hard and so unjust a Prison he knew by Experience that his Innocence could not protect him or establish his Safety which he hop'd to find in a Retreat in which he would still preserve the same Sentiments he had so often evidenc'd for the benefit of the State and for the
King's Glory The Prince had several Conferences with the Duke of Orleance upon the same Subject who was as much displeaâ—ed as himself to find the Spirit and Maxims of Cardinal Mazarin Reigning at Court The Parliament likewise made several Complaints about it and joyn'd with their Highnesses to exclude Le Tellier Servient and Lionne both from the Council and Ministry of Affairs they following the Cardinal's Maxims in all things and doing nothing without his Orders Monsieur Le Tellier upon this retir'd of his own accord and the Queen having soon after consented to the Exclusion of the two others the Prince came back to Paris and waited upon the King and Queen and no longer thought of any thing but taking Possession of his New Government of Guienne But before his departure from Paris he was desirous to shew the Sumptuous Equipage he had prepar'd for his Entry into Bourdeaux Therefore â—e appear'd in the Streets of Paris in a Magnificenâ— Coach accompany'd with the most Numerous and most Glorious Attendance that had been seen in France for a long while after which he went to the Ring with the same Equipage where he met the King and Queen accidentally and in Circumstances very different from those of the preceding Meeting I have mention'd The King and Queen were extreamly surpriz'd and disorder'd to find themselves as it were alone amidst a croud of armed Men compos'd of the Prince's Friends and Attendance which fill'd up the Ring The Queen was already very much displeas'd with the Prince for his having ceas'd to see the King of late and his being continually with Monsieur and such of the Parliament as were most animated against the Cardinal in so much that she was under great Apprehensions at that time Moreover some Persons of the Court talk'd of it as if he had really design'd to insult Their Majesties which made an end of exasperating them against the Prince The Duke of Orleance having notice of it the next day endeavour'd to pacifie all and engag'd the Prince with great difficulty to go to the Louvre Where Their Majesties receiv'd him so coldly and with so much indifference that he retir'd in a Passion and protested publickly that he would go there no more This was done in so high a manner that from that moment People began to believe the Report that had been spread of the Prince of Conde's having an Intelligence with the Enemies of the State to wage a War against the King The first President Molé himself who was the Prince's Friend complain'd of it in a full House in so much that he seem'd already to have renounc'd his Friendship so much he was a lover of Justice and had an aversion to Disloyalty and Rebellion against his King And the Prince of Conty being at that time in the Parliament rising to inform that President how Injurious that Suspicion was to the Prince his Brother who as he said aim'd at nothing but the King's Glory and the Tranquility of the State he answer'd him That he was too Young to speak in such a manner before so August an Assembly and told him with some sharpness that he ought to know that in Parliament the Princes of the Blood were no more than the bare Counsellors The President Molé did not Complain without powerful Reasons against the Conduct and ill Designs of the Prince For besides divers other things that were come to his knowledge the Prince who had only quitted St. Maur to return to Paris because he believ'd that this haughty bold manner of proceeding would give a Reputation to his Affairs had at the same time sent away the Princess the Duke D' Enguien and Madame de Longueville to Montrond being resolv'd to follow soon after and to pass from thence into Guienne where they were well dispos'd to receive him and to embrace his Party He had likewise sent the Count de Tavanes to his Forces which serv'd in the Army in Champagne and had order'd that Count who at the same time had not much cause to be contented with him to March those Troops in a Body to Stenay as soon as he should receive Orders from him He had provided for his Garrisons and had Two Hundred Thousand Crowns ready Money in a word he was preparing for War He endeavour'd to engage Persons of Quality in his Party and among the rest the Duke of Bouillon and Marshal Turenne They were both intimate Friends to the Duke de la Rochefoucault who omitted nothing to engage them in the same Party he was oblig'd to follow The Duke of Bouillon at that time appear'd unresolv'd he was unwilling to undertake any thing without consulting his own Safety and Advantage and he was equally diffident of the Court and Prince He was also willing to see how things would go before he would declare himself As for the Marshal of Turenne he remain'd still firm to the Court Party and never alter'd since his return from Stenay He told the Duke de la Rochefoucaâ—lt that he never prais'd the Prince or made Complaints against him to avoid Eclaircissements he was unwilling to enter into That he had omitted nothing to contribute to the Prince's Liberty but that at the same time it was his Opinion that his Engagement to him was to end with his Prison and that therefore he thought himself free to make whatever new Engagements he thought fit according to his own Inclinations or Interest He added that the Prince had had no consideration for him since his being put at Liberty and that far from consulting or imparting his Designs to him he had not only done the contrary but besides had suffer'd those very Troops that had combated for him which did belong to Monsieur de Turenne to perish rather than speak a word to get Winter Quarters for them It appear'd by all this that President Mole 's Zeal had not been blind and that he had a good Foundation for his Complaints The Queen perceiving the first President to be in the state and in the Sentiments she desir'd and that he had spoken vigorously against the Prince endeavour'd to improve that favourable Occasion to animate the Parliament against that Prince To that end she caused the Houses tâ— meet on the 17 th of August and sent the Coâ—â—â— of Brienne Secretary of State thither to present them a Paper in His Majesty's Name which contain'd nothing but Complaints against the Prince Moreover the Count read it himself in presence of the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Conty who were in that Assembly These Complaints were That whereas so many Decrees which depriv'd that Cardinal of all manner of Commerce in France the which had been confirm'd in such a manner by Her Majesty that there was no hope left for him ever to pretend to return into the Kingdom she thought it very hard and strange that notwithstanding that Minister's Name should serve for a pretence to disaffected Persons to continue
their Revolâ— That she could no longer dissemble the Prince's Ill Designs who himself inclin'd the disaffected to a Revolt by his publick want of Respect to the King's Person not having seen him above once and as it were only out of Ceremony in above a Month's time since his being in Paris That he continually spread Libels against the Government in order to make the People Rise and to lead them from their Allegiance That he had already laid in Stores and fortify'd the Garrisons that were in his Power rais'd Forces in the Provinces he had gain'd and dispos'd all things so well towards a Revolt that the Factious only expected his Orders to take Arms. That to that end he had a continual Commerce at Brâ—ssels with the Spaniards and that far from performing the chief Condition on which he was set at Liberty which was to remove the Garrison the Enemies of the State had plac'd in Stenay he kept it still there by their Advice in order still to have that Post at his Command during the War he design'd to kindle in the heart of France That the Forces he had assembled at Marle acknowledg'd no Superiour but his Highness and had no Discipline besides a cruel License of Pillaging Picardy and Champagne as an Enemy's Country to the dishonour and prejudice of the King's Army which was daily observ'd to diminish considerably by the great number of Deserters that License brought over into the Prince's The Queen concluded saying that those dismal pressing Extremities deserv'd to be taken into Consideration by the House in order to apply proper Remedies thereunto by declaring themselves absolutely against the Authors thereof and that if they had still the least Affection and Kindness for the King they could never approve it better than at that time now His Majesty was going to enter into his Majority at which time according to Law they were to give him an Account of the Government After the Reading of this Paper a general Silence reign'd in the House none offering to express their thoughts about it excepting the Prince of Conty who declar'd pretty coldly That all this was only a vain Artifice of his Brother's Enemies and that he would find means to destroy and confound themâ— However at that time there was a great deal of reason to fear the contrary by reason of the then disposition of the Parliament But an Incident interven'd which soon alter'd the Dispositions of that August Assembly which enabled the Prince happily to execute what the Prince of Conty had so boldly advanc'd in his favour against the Complaints of the Court. And thus it happen'd As the Parliament was going to deliberate upon these Complaints News was brought that the Duke of Mercoeur was privately retir'd to Cologne to the Cardinal and moreover that he had marry'd his Niece of Manciny to which the Queen had secretly given her Consent Upon which the Parliament who together with the Prince had already sufficiently declar'd their dislike of the said Match express'd a great deal of Resentment against it and judg'd that his Highness was not altogether so much to blame as was imagin'd in complaining still against Mazarin after his retreat out of France and look'd upon that Match as an undeniable Proof of the excessive Power wherewith that Cardinal still rul'd the Court. Therefore The Prince looking upon this as a very favourable Conjuncture to clear himself from the Aspersions that had been cast upon him presented a Declaration to the Parliament written by the hand of Monsieur the King's Uncle wherein he declar'd That the Forces the Prince had at Marle were kept there by his Royal Highnesses Approbation That it was by his Order they tarry'd there in a Body and moreover that he had sent le Sieur Valons to Command them joyntly with his own in the room of la Ferté Sennetterre who was a perfect Mazarin That as to the Foreign Garrison that was in Stenay he was satisfy'd that the Prince had usâ—d his utmost Endeavours to remove them from thence either by Force or Composition That in a word he thoughâ— himself oblig'd to Testifie for his Highness that he had ever known him to be a Person of an Upright Generous Soul entirely devoted to the King and State And that therefore he declar'd he had not the least hand in the precipitated Resolution of the Court to have him Impeach'd of High Treason for pretended Correspondencies with the Enemies of the Crown The Prince had no need of any further Apology after this Declaration of the Duke of Orleance Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom especially since the Parliament was sufficiently inclin'd to believe him Innocent Nevertheless the more to confound his Enemies and to hinder them from doing of him any prejudice by their Accusations he added a kind of Maniâ—esto to his Royal Highnesses Declaration in Answer to all the Heads of their Accusations against him He declar'd in the said Manifesto that he possess'd no other Estate in France than what his Father the late Prince of Conde had left him That the Cities of Stenay and Clermont had been given him in compensation for the Place of Lord Admiral which was to be his by Right of Succession after the Decease of Marshal de Breze his Father-in-law That after having undergone an Imprisonment of Thirteen Months without a Cause his being put at Liberty should not have been call'd an Act of Grace but a piece of Justice That a Prince of the Blood whose Father had been declar'd Head of the Council by the late King's Testament could not be excluded from it That it was very well known that he had no Strong Holds in the Kingdom to Second his pretended Designs of a Revolt whereas Mazarin was still in possession of them all by his Creatures That the Court was to blame to envy those few Men he had at Marle since France was particularly indebted to them for the best part of its last Victories and that besides they were only assembled there by his Royal Highnesses Order who was the Absolute Master thereof That the only Reason for which he had desir'd the Court to exchange his Government of Burgundy for Guienne was to Relieve that poor Province from the Misery it was reduc'd to under the proud and violent Domination of the Duke d' Espernon whose Excesses were but too well known in the World That if he had reserv'd any Places in Burgundy it was because they were his the late Prince his Father having bought them by His Majesty's Leave and Approbation and that for that Reason he had a Right to keep them especially since no others had been given him in exchange in Guienne That it was true that he had abstain'd for some time from seeing the King and from assisting at the Council but that no Man of Sense could blame him for it since his most inveterate Foes being most in Her Majesty's favour he had reason to suspect them and to avoid
falling for the second time in the same Snare That since his coming out of Prison he had been most sollicitous to drive the Spanish Garrison out of Stenay â— and that that was the only end of all that pretended Commerce with the Enemies of the State which made so much noise and that therefore it was a shame to see a Prince of the Blood under such a Pretence pursu'd as being guilty of High Treason and that at the Queen's sollicitations That the Authors of that outragious Undertaking ought to be inform'd against and constrain'd either to justifie their Calumny or to be prosecuted according to Law That notwithstanding he submitted his Estate and Person to the disposal of the Parliament and to whatever they should be pleas'd to determine The Prince finding that this Paper had made strong Impressions in his favour and that all things tended to his Justification in the Parliament went thither himself to renew his Complaints Viva Voce and to demand reparation for the enormous Calumnies level'd against his Honour pointing at the same time at the Author 's thereof He said among several other things whereby he design'd the Coadjutor of Paris that nothing could be more odious than to see Persons whose main business should tend towards the maintaining of Peace apply themselves unfortunately to the disturbing of it by outragious Falsities which an implacable Hatred had made them invent The Coadjutor justly applying that Discourse to himself finding himself seconded by the Queen's Authority and Protection rising at the same time answer'd That all he had done was design'd for the Publick Good and what could be expected from a Man of Honour whose Loyalty was untainted That his Enemies could not accuse him of having broken his Promises and that few Persons at that time were free from that defect I wonder reply'd the Prince who possess'd himself more in that Occasion than he was wont to do that any body should be so bold in this place as to dare to cope with a Prince of the Blood and to contest with him I know Sir reply'd the Coadjutor what is owing to a Prince of the Blood like you But every body is free in this place in which none but the King can expect a perfect Obedience The First President then assuming the Discourse told them that the Place in which they were was not a place of Quarrel or Conâ—estation but a place of Majesty And seeing besides that the whole Palace was fill'd on the behalves of the Prince and Coadjutor with armed Men ready to Charge each other and that even Swords glitter'd on all sides he desir'd the Prince and the Coadjutor to cause their Men to retire in order to allow the Gentlemen of the House the Liberty of their Opinions After this he turn'd towards the Prince and told him Your Highness is to shew by your Example the Honour and Respect that is due to this Assembly The Prince yielding to that Advice immediately sent the Duke de la Rochefoucault to Command his People to retire out of the Palace The Coadjutor at the same time went out of the great Room to desire his to retire also The Duke de la Rochefoucault walk'd seven or eight steps behind him and was still within the Usher's Bar when the Coadjutor appear'd in the great Hall At sight of this Prelate all those of his Party drew their Swords and the Prince's Friends did the same Every one sided with the Party he serv'd and in a moment both Troops joyn'd within reach of their Swords and yet among so many brave Men animated by such different hatreds none offer'd to make a Pass or shoot off a Pistol The Coadjutor seeing so great a Disorder offer'd to retire into the great Room again but coming to the Door which goes from the Hall to the Usher's Bar he found that the Duke de la Rochefoucault had seiz'd it However he endeavour'd to open it with force but whereas it only open'd half and that the Duke de la Rochefoucault held it that Duke at the instant the Coadjutor was entring push'd it in such a manner that he stopt it just as that Prelate's Head was pass'd on the side of the Bar and his Body still in the Hall That occasion might have tempted the Duke de la Rochefoucault to kill the greatest Enemy of the Prince's Party and to Revenge the Shame and Affront a Prince of the Blood had just receiv'd in full Parliament He contented himself however with securing him that his Life might answer for the Event of the Disorder Thus the Duke de la Rochefoucault unwilling to commit an Act of Cruelty and the Prince's Attendants who at that time were near that Duke being unresolv'd in a case of that Consequence gave time to Monsieur de Champlatreux Son to the first President to arrive with Order to dis-engage the Coadjutor and to draw him out of the greatest peril he was ever expos'd to This proceeding of the Duke de la Rochefoucault towards the Coadjutor prov'd a new Subject of Hatred and Envy amongst them and their Friends which without doubt would have occasion'd great Disorders had not the Duke of Orleance compos'd all by an Expedient he invented which was That for the future the Coadjutor should no longer assist at the Assemblies of the Parliament and that the Prince should only be attended there by a small number of his ordinary Attendance During these Transactions the Queen perceiving that the Parliament daily declar'd more and more in favour of the Prince and that she should expose her Authority in vain in pursuing his Condemnation any further on a sudden relinquish'd her pursuit and declar'd that she desir'd nothing so much as his Justification And some days after it the Prince of Conde at her Majesty's Intreaty obtain'd a Decree from the Court by which the Accusations and Complaints exhibited against him were declar'd false and without ground as having been contriv'd on purpose to animate the People and to increase Divisions After so many Obstacles were happily remov'd there was reason to expect that all things would soon be reduc'd to a Calm But the Storm soon rose again about the Barbons Thus they call'd Monsieur de Châteauneuf President Mole and Monsieur de la Vieville by reason of their long Beards Those three Old Men whom the Prince look'd upon as the Cardinal's Slaves had insinuated themselves so far into the Queen's favour and had engag'd so far into the Intrigues of the Court since the removal of Messieurs de Servient Le Tellier and Lionne that Monsieur de Chateauneuf was publickly design'd First Minister President Mole Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal in Monsieur Seguier's room from whom it was to be taken and Monsieur de la Vicville Super-Intendant of the Exchequer The Prince was so much the more offended thereaâ— because the first had as it were declar'd himself an Enemy to his House and Blood by the
should embrace being as yet unresolv'd In this irresolution he began a Commerce of Letters with the Prince and writ enough to him to make him believe that he only design'd to save Appearances and that he wouâ—d deliver it into his hands at the approach of a Siege This hope rather than the state of the Prince's Forces which at that time were very inconsiderable made him resolve upon Marching towards Coignac He was sensible that the success of his Enterprizes depended upon the Reputation of his Arms but at the same time he likewise knew that wanting Forces and all things necessary to form a Siege this was the only one he could pretend to succeed in So that grounding all his hopes upon that Governour he caus'd the Duke de la Rochefoucault to go from Bourdeaux to Assemble whatever Forces he had on Foot which only amounted in all to three Regiments of Foot and Three Hundred Horse and to Invest Coignac where the Prince of Tarente was to repair with what Forces he had The Report of their March being spread in the Country whatever could be remov'd out of the Fields was carry'd into Coignac and abundance of the Nobility retir'd there also to express their Zeal for the King's Service and chiefly to Guard themselves what they had caused to be transported there This considerable number of Gentlemen easily kept the Inhabitants in awe and made them resolve to shut up their Gates in hopes of being soon reliev'd by Count d' Harcourt General of the King's Forces who was advancing towards them And whereas they had but little Confidence in the Count of Ionsac whom they equally suspected of Weakness and of being gain'd by the Prince they watch'd him so narrowly that one may say that he resolv'd to defend the place because the Power of Surrendring it was taken from him This was the only thing in which the Gentry shew'd any Vigour for during Eight days that the Prince's Men tarry'd before Coignac without Arms without Ammunition without Officers and without Discipline being at the same time fatigu'd by continual Rains which broke the Bridge of Boats they had made over the Charante for the Communication of Quarters those within never made the least use of those Disorders and kept close within the Town with the Inhabitants only firing from behind the Walls However the Prince being inform'd that the Town was upon the point of Surrendring departed from Bourdeaux and came to the Camp with the Duke of Nemours The day after his Arrival the Count d' Harcourt receiving Intelligence that the Bridge of Boats was broken and that Major-General Nort was retrench'd in a Suburb on the other side of the River with 500 Men without any possibility of being succour'd march'd against him with 2000 Foot compos'd of the French and Suitz Guards and with the King's Gendarmes Chevanx-Legers and Guards and some Gentry He forc'd Nort's Quarter without hardly meeting any resistance and thus reliev'd Coignac to the Prince's Face who was lodg'd on the other side of the River Count d' Harcourt was satisfy'd with having Reliev'd the place and suffer'd the Prince to retire without following of him Notwithstanding this Success was not very considerable in it self yet it increas'd Count d' Harcourt's Hopes and gave a Reputation to his Arms. Nay moreover he judg'd himself in a condition to make some Progresses and knowing that the Marquess d' Estissac had reduc'd Rochel to its former Obedience excepting the Towers which shut the Port he resolv'd to march thither relying upon the good-will of the Inhabitants and their hatred to Count du Doignon their Governour He had caus'd those Towers to be fortify'd and kept a Garâ—ison of Switzers in them being diffident almost of every body and expecting to find more Fidelity among that Nation than in his own But the sequel soon made him sensible that he had taken â—alse Measures for Fear and Interest which are as powerful over those People as over others gave the Switz a pretence for doing yet more than he had fear'd from the French It is most certain that this Diffidence of the Count du Doignon prov'd the Ruin of the Prince's Party who otherwise would at first have march'd with all his Forces to Rochel to re-build its Ancient Fortifications there to fiâ— the Seat of the War with all the Convenience that such a Situation could afford him Whereas in order to sooth the Jealous uncertain Temper of that Man he was forc'd to remain useless at Tonay-Charante and to suffer Rochel to be lost without so much as daring to propose the Relief thereof I must confess that the small Resistance the Garrison of the Towers made hardly afforded him time enough to form the Design of it For Count d' Harcourt being arriv'd with his Forces at Rochel and assisted by the Marquess d' Estissac lately invested with the Count du Doignon's Governments he found â—he Inhabitants dispos'd to afford him all the Assistance he could expect from them However the Towers might have held out some time had the Switzers prov'd as brave and faithful as that Count had expected But instead of answering his Expectation they resolv'd to Redeem themselves by a piece of Treachery and after a Resistance of three days Count d' Harcourt having sent them word that he would allow them no Quarter unless they stab'd Basse their Commandant they made no scruple of executing this horrid Order But Basse expecting to meet more Compassion from Count d' Harcourt than from his own Men flung himself wounded as he was from the top of the Towers into the Port where that General caus'd him to be dispaâ—ch'd in his presence without being mov'd either by the Officers Entreaties who beg'd his Life nor by so pitiful a Spectacle The loss of that place prov'd very prejudicial to the Reputation of the Prince's Arms for it was imputed to his being diffident of his Forces whereas it only proceeded from his regard to the Jealousie of the Count du Doignon He was sensibly concern'd at the News of it and imagining that all the other Garrisons would follow that Example hâ— reâ—iâ—'d to Broâ—age where he remain'd altogether 〈…〉 had made his Treaty with the Court whiâ—â— apparently he has had cause to repent Coâ—â—t d' Harcourt being encourag'd by these good Successes and strengthen'd by â—ome Forces thâ—t hâ—d joyn'd his Army resolv'd to march up to the Prince who was at Tonay-Charante But the Prince judging by the Number and the want of Discipline of his Forces that he was much inferiour to the King's Army did not think it fit to expect it in that place and therefore crossing the River in the Night upon a Bridge of Boats he retiâ—'d to la Bergerie which is not above half a League distant from Tonay-Charante The Enemies contenting themselves with having defeated two Squadrons the day before allow'd him all the time that was necessary to blow up the Tower of Tonay-Câ—arante and to retire to
the Government of Stenay which was vacant by the Death of la Moussaie So that this Action of Marsin may bear two very different Construâ—tions Those who will consider him abandoning â— Province the King had entrusted him with will find him very disloyal and those who will look upon him running after most pressing and almost indispensible Obligations will believe him a very worthy Gentleman Few Persons of sense will dare to say that he is Guilty or declare him Innocent In fine both those that are against him and those that favour him will agree in pitying of him the one for a Fault he was necessitated to commit the others for having acquitted himself of what he ow'd by a fault The Court was at that time at Poitiers as I have said and Monsieur de Chateauneuf possess'd in appearance the first Place in Affairs altho' the Cardinal still possess'd it in Effect Nevertheless this Old Man's firm decisive familiar way of proceeding directly opposite to the Cardinal 's began to give a relish to his Ministry and even began to please the Queen The Cardinal was too well inform'd thereof to suffer him to gain any more ground and it is very probable that he judg'd his return absolutely necessary to remedy the Evil he dreaded in his own particular since otherwise he little consulted the Interest of the State in so much that thereby he afforded the Duke of Orleance and the Parliament of Paris a Pretence to declare against the Court. The Marshal d' Hoquincourt was order'd to receive Cardinal Mazarin upon the Frontiers Luxemburg with 2000 Horse and to attend 〈◊〉 where the King should be He cross'd the Kinâ—â—dom without the least molestation and arriv'd Poitiers as much Master of the Court as he had 〈◊〉 been They affected to give Monsieur de Chaâ—eaâ—neuf little share in this Return but still withoâ—â— altering any thing in the rest as to the exâ—eâ—iouâ— oâ— giving him the least mark of disfavour Thâ— Cardinal himself made some advances to him buâ— he being unwilling to expose himself and conâ—â—â—dering that it was neither safe nor honourable foâ— a Man of his Age and Experience to continue 〈◊〉 the management of Affairs under his Enemy anâ— that he should undoubtedly continually be expos'â— to whatever Mortifications he should be pleas'd tâ— impose upon him he took this Pretence to retire that whereas by his Advice it had been resolv'â— that the King should remove to Angouléme thaâ— Design was alter'd without having communicated it to him and at the same time the Siege of Anâ—gers resolv'd upon contrary to his Sentiments Iâ— so much that having taken his Leave of the King he retir'd to Tours The Court departed soon after to go to Anger 's where the Duke de la Rochefoucault had made the People rise and that Province had declar'd it self for the Prince at the very time that the Duke of Orleance and the Paâ—liament of Paris joyn'd with him against the Court. All France seem'd in suspence in expectation of the Event of that Siege which might have produc'd great Consequences had the Defence of it prov'd long enough or vigorous enough to stop the King For besides that the Prince thereby might have secur'd the best Places and best Neighbouring Provinces it is most certain that the Example of the Duke of Orleance and of the Parliament of Paris would have been follow'd by the most considerable part of the Kingdom In effect had the Court been forc'd to raise that Siege it would have been reduc'd to great Extreams and the King's Person had been expos'd to great dangersâ— had it happen'd at the time the Duke of Nemours entred France with the Army from Flanders and the Prince's Old Troops without meeting any Resistance This Army pass'd the River Seine at Mâ—nte where the Duke of Beaufort who commanded the Duke of Orleance's Forces joyn'd the said Duke of Nemours and together march'd with an Army of 7000 Foot and 3000 Horse towards the River Loire where they were certain of Blois and Orleance But whether Anger 's were not in a Condition to hold out a Siege by the Division of the Inhabitants or whether the Duke de Rohan was unwilling to venture his Life and Fortune in confiding in People that seem'd wavering and astonish'd he deliver'd up the place to the King without much Resistance and was allow'd to retire to the Duke of Orleance at Paris Things were in this condition when the Prince remov'd from La Bergerie where he had remain'd three Weeks without Count d' Harcourt's who was on the other side of the River at Tonay Charante and Master of the Bridge of Boats having undertaken any thing against him Nevertheless as the Number and Goodness of his Forces was very much inferiour to the King's Army he avoided the occasions of being constrain'd to so unequal a Combat To that end he march'd to la Bernette three Leagues distant from the King's Army in order to have more time to consider in case they should march up to him He remain'd there some time without any considerable Action on either side But finding that far from making any Progress in that Country he was not able to remain there in sight of Count d' Harcourt he turn'd all his thoughts to the preservation of Guienne and to Fortifie the Cities that were in his Party To that end he resolvd to march thither with his Army and believ'd himself capable to maintain Saintonge for some time in leaving on the one side the Count du Doignon in the Garrisons the Spaniards at Talmont and the Prince of Tarente in Saintes and Taillebourg to hasten their Fortifications Having thus given his Orders he caus'd his Infantry and his Baggage to march to Talmont in order to be Transported by Sea to Bourdeaux and after a long march with his Cavalry the first day he stopt the second at St. Andras within four Leagues of Bourdeaux believing himself without the Enemy's reach But Count d' Harcourt who had follow'd him close arriv'd within sight of his Quarter when he least suspected it and would certainly have forc'd it had his foremost Troops entred it without hesitation whereas they plac'd themselves in Battalia over against St. Andras whilst the others attack'd the Quarter of Baltazar who repuls'd them with Vigour and came to joyn the Prince who got on Horse back at the very first noise They remain'd some time in sight but the Night proving very dark there was no Combat and the Prince retir'd without any loss being more oblig'd to the Enemies over-great precaution for his Safety than to his own Count d' Harcourt follow'd him no farther and the Prince persisting in the Design of going to Bergerac in order to Fortifie it pass'd at Libourne of which the Count of Maure was Governour and left Orders with him for the continuation of some Out-works The Marshal de la Force arriv'd at Bergerac just as he did with his Son the Marquess of Castelnau who commanded
there and the Duke de la Rochefoucault who was come back from the Upper Guienne with the Prince of Conty repair'd thither also At that time those Factions and Partialities began to appear at Bourdeaux which ruin'd the Prince's Party in Guienne divided his House and separated hiâ— nearest Relations from his Interests the which finally reduc'd him to seek a Retreat among the Spaniards for whom he has often sav'd Flanders I will relate the causes of so great a Change as briefly as I can in its proper place when I come to rehearse the Effects thereof At present I pass to the recital of what the Prince did during that Interval His chief care was speedily to repair the Towns of Guienne and particularly to put Bergerac in a condition of Defence He employ'd some days about it with great Application at which time he receiv'd intelligence that his Affairs decay'd in Saintonge That the Count du Doignon was shut up within his Garrisons and durst not peep out of them through his usâ—al Jealousies That the Prince of Tarente on his side had receiv'd some disadvantage in a Combat near Pons That Saintes which he judg'd capable of sustaining a long Siege by the Works that had been made there and by reason of the Garrison which was compos'd of his best Forces had notwitstanding surrender'd it self without any considerable Defence and that Taillebourg was besieg'd and ready to follow the Example of Saintes He was moreover inform'd that the Marquess of St. Luc assembled a Body in order to oppose the Prince of Conty who had taken Caudecôte and some other places of small Consequence This last Evil was the only one he could any ways remedy but whereas the Marquess was â—â—ill at a distance from the Prince of Conty he did not think it proper to pass into the Upper Guienne without being more particularly inform'd of what pass'd at Bourdeaux To which end he writ to the Princess and to Madame de Longueville to repair to Libourne where he arriv'd at the same time with them He only tarry'd there a day and gave what Orders he could to prevent the Progress of the Evil which Division began to create in his Party and in his Family After which he went away with the Duke de la Rochefoucault to joyn the Prince of Conty who was at Staffort four Leagues beyond Agen And being inform'd by a Courier near Libourne that St. Luc was marching towards Staffort he judg'd his presence would be very necessary there and therefore advanc'd with all the speed imaginable and found the Prince of Conty who assembled his Quarters being perswaded that St. Luc would attack him This Marquess being at Miradoux with the Regiments of Champayne and Lorrain his Cavalry being lodg'd apart in Villages and Farms on a sudden the Prince resolv'd to march all Night to surprize the Quarters of his Cavalry and set instaâ—tly forward with the Duke de la Rochefoucault and tho' the Way were long and the Road bad he arriv'd before day at a Bridge where the Enemy had a Guard of Twelve or Fifteen Horse He caus'd them immediately to be charg'd and those who made their escape having alarm'd all the rest they got on Horse-back Some Squadrons fac'd him near Miradoux the which he charg'd and easily broke them Six Regiments were defeated and he took abundance of Equipage and many Prisoners after which he retir'd towards Miradoux a small City situate on the top of a Hill of which it contains one half and has no other Fortification than an ill Dith and a single Wall to which the Houses are adjoyning At break of Day St. Luc plac'd all his Forces in Battalia upon a Level before the Gate of the Town The Prince tarry'd at the bottom of the Hill for those the Prince of Conty was to bring him which arriv'd soon after But whereas the ascent is pretty steep and very long and that the Soil is fat in Winter time and 〈◊〉 with Ditches and Furrows the Prince judg'd it was impossible to march up to the Enemies in Battalia without disording himself nay without breaking himself before he could come up to them Therefore he only caused his Infantry to advance instantly and forc'd the Enemy's to retire from some Posts they had possess'd themselves of by Firing at them Two or three Squadrons also engag'd and the whole day past in Skirmishes St. Luâ— not quitting the high Ground he was posted upon and the Prince not thinking it fit to attack him in so Advantageous a Post without Canon which he could not have until the next day He order'd two Pieces to be sent for and in the mean time judging that the Report of his Arrival would surprize his Enemies more than the Advantage he had gain'd over them he set some Prisoners at Liberty in order to carry the News of it to St. Luc which soon produc'd the Effect he expected for the Souldiers were terrify'd at it and it caus'd such a Consternation even among the Officers that they had hardly patience to tarâ—y till Night to conceal their Retreat and fly to Leyâ—oure The Prince who had â—ore-seen this Retreat plac'd Corps de Guard so near the Enemy's that Notice was given him of their Retreat as soon as they mov'd but it may be said that his extream Diligence hindred him from defeating them absolutely for without tarrying until the Foot was got into the Road where he might have cut them in pieces with ease he charg'd them upon the edge of the Ditch of Miradoux and falling with Sword in Hand upon the Battalion of Champayne and Lorraine he overthrew them into the Ditch where they demanded Quarter flinging down their Arms. But whereas it was impossible to get at them on Horse-back they found means to get into Miradoux again not with a design to defend the place but to save their Lives The Prince of Conty fought all along next the Prince his Brother who follow'd the Marquess of St. Luc and the Runaways as far as Leytoure and then came back to Invest Miradoux into which Major-General Marins Cominges together with several other Officers were got The Prince caus'd them to be summon'd not imagining that a beaten Party without Ammunition oâ— Provisions would undertake to defend so weak a Place And indeed they offer'd immediately to surrender it but the Prince who was unwilling to let such good Infantry escape and did not value the place insisted to have them Prisoners of War or to oblige them not to serve in six Months time which Conditions appear'd so hard to them that they resolv'd to Defend the place themselves and to make amends for the shame they had suffer'd the day before instead of augmenting it by such a Capitulation They found moreover that the Inhabitants had Provisions and consider'd that the Prince was not in a condition to make Lines They believ'd that it would be easie to send them Powder Match and Lead as indeed the Marquess of St.
Luc did the following day and still continu'd to refresh them with all Necssaries as long as the Siege lasted During these Transactions the Prince sent back the Prince of Conty to Bourdeaux and soon found that it had been better for him to receive Miradoux on the Conditions that were offer'd him than to engage on a Siege wanting every thing as he did not so much as being certain to get any Canon However as we are often necessitated to continue calâ—ly what we have begun in a Heat he resolv'd to persist in his Enterprize to the end hoping thereby to astonish his Enemies To that end he got two Pieces of Ordnance from Agen the one a Ten and the other a Twelve Pounder with a small quantity of Balls he imagining that number sufficient to make a Breach and take the Town by Storm before Count d' Harcourt who was on his March thither could come up to him He made himself Master of some Houses prâ—tty near the Gates where those two Pieces of Ordnance were plac'd in a Battery and did a great deal of Execution in the Walls but the Balls not holding out he was forc'd to give Souldiers Money to gather up the Balls that had been shot out of the Ditches The Enemies made a pretty good Defence considering their scarcity of Ammunition and they made two Sallies with a great deal of Vigour In fine the Breach began to appear reasonable and the Wall being fallen with Houses that were adjoyning to it had made a considerable Overture but this Rubbish serv'd the Besieged instead of a new Retrenchment by reason that the top of the House where the Breach was made being fallen into the Cellar they set it on fire and retrench'd themselves on the other side in so much that this burning Cellar became a Ditch impossible to be cross'd This Obstacle stop'd the Prince who was unwilling to hazard an Attack which certainly would have discourag'd his Men and encourag'd his Enemies Therefore he resolv'd to make another Breach in a place where the Houses had no Cellars and had not fir'd above a day against it when he was inform'd that Count d' Harcourt was Marching towards him and would be the next day at Miradoux Their Forces being too unequal to hazard a Combat he was forc'd to raise the Siege and to retire to Staffort where he arriv'd without having been pursued This City is neither larger nor stronger than Miradoux but whereas Count d' Harcourt was on the other side of the Garonne and that he could only cross it at Auvilars the Prince being Master of the other side of the Country separated his Quarters supposing it was sufficient to place some near Auvilars and to Order Parties to be continually detach'd on that side to be inâ—orm'd of whatever the Enemies should undertake But he did not consider that new Forces and new Officers generally execute what is commanded them in a very different manner from those who have more Experience And this Order which would have been sufficient to secure a Camp was like to ruin the Prince and to expose him to the shame of being surpriz'd and defeated by reason that none of the Parties that were Commanded follow'd his Orders but instead of getting Intelligence of Count d' Harcourt's Motions they fell a pillaging the Neighbouring Villages in so much that he cross'd the River and march'd in Battalia in the middle of the Prince's Quarters and came within a quarter of a League of the place where he was before any Alarm was given or he receiv'd the least Notice of it Finally some Men that had been pursu'd having brought him this News with the usual Consternation on such Occasions he mounted on Horse-back follow'd bâ— Marsin the Duke de la Rochefoucault and the Marquess of Montespan to observe the Enemies Designs but before he had gone five hundred Yards he saw that their Squadrons detach'd themselves in order to attack his Quarters In this Extremity he immediately sent Orders to his farthest Quarters â—o get on Horse-back and to joyn his Infantry which was encamp'd under Staffort the which he caus'd to March to Boüe there to cross the Garonne in Boats and to retire to Agen. He sent all his Baggage to St. Mary's having left a Captain and Threescore Musqueteers at Staffort with a Piece of Canon which he could not carry along with him Count d' Harcourt made no better use of this Advantage than he had done before at Tonâ—y-Charante and at St. Andras for instead of pursuing the Prince and of falling upon him in the disorder of a Retreat he made without Horse being moreover constrain'd â—o cross the Garonne to secure himself he stopt to Invest that Quarter which was nearest to Staffort call'd Le Pergan where three or four Hundred Horse of the Prince's and the General 's Guards were lodg'd and thus allow'd him twelve or thirteen hours of which he employ'd the best part at Bâ—â—â— in causing his Men to cross the River in the greatest Disorder imaginable in so much that had they been attack'd they had certainly been cut to piecesâ— Sometime after the Prince's Arrival at Agen with all his Infantâ—y some Squadrons appear'd on the other side of the River which were advanc'd in order to take some Baggage which was ready to cross the River but they were repuls'd with vigour by 60 Horse of the Regiment of Monâ—â—span which afforded time enough to some Boats fill'd with Musqueteers to cross over to them and to force the Enemies to retire That very day the Prince receiv'd Intelligence that his Horse was arriv'd at St. Mary without having fought or lost any part of his Equipage and that his Guards defended themselves still in Le Pergan where it was impossible to succour them The next day they yielded themselves Prisoners of War and that was the only Advantage Count d' Harcourt drew from an Occasion in which his Fortune and the Negligence of the Prince's Men had offer'd him an entire Victory These ill Successes were soon follow'd by the Sedition of Agen the which oblig'd the Prince to turn his greatest hopes towards Paris and to make it the Seat of War as I shall relate in the sequel The War was maintain'd in Guienne much more through the Vigilance and Reputation of the Prince of Conde than by the Valour and Number of his Forces and Count d' Harcourt by his Conduct and Fortune had already repair'd all the disadvantage which the Marquess of St. Luc's Defeat at Miradoux had occasion'd The Siege of Miradoux was rais'd The Prince of Conde's Guards and three or four Hundred Horse had been taken at le Pergan and the Prince of Conde himself with the rest of his Forces had been constrain'd to quit Sâ—affort and to cross the River Garonne at Boüe and to retire at Agen But the Divisions of that City soon made that Prince sensible that it would no longer remain in his Party than while constrain'd to it by his Presence or
a strong Garrison And therefore he resolv'd to throw the Regiment of Foot of Conty into it and to take possession of one of the Gates of the City in order to oblige the People to receive a Garrison But whereas this Design was not kept secret it was soon rumour'd throughout the City Upon which the Inhabitants immediately betook themselves to their Arms and made Barricadoes The Prince of Conde being inform'd therewith got on Horse-back to stop the Tumult by his Presence and to remain Master of the Gate of Grave until the aforesaid Regiment had taken possession of it But the arrival of the Souldiers increas'd the Disorder instead of appeasing it They entred and made a halt in the first Street and tho' the Prince of Conde the Prince of Conty and all the Officers endeav'd to appease the Disorder they could not hinder the Streets from being barricado'd in a moment However the People still preserv'd their Respect towards the Prince of Conde and towards all the General Officers but at the same time the Animosity increas'd in all places where his Presence was wanting It was impossible that things should remain long in that condition the Souldiers as I have already related had taken Possession of the Gate of Grave and half the adjoyning Street The People were in Arms all the Streets were barricado'd and Corps â—e Guards plac'd every where Night drew on which would have increas'd the Disorder and the Prince of Conde found himself necessitated either to quit the Town shamefully or cause it to be pâ—ilag'd and burnt either of which apparently would have ruin'd his Affairs For if he quitted the Town the King's Forces would be receivd into it and if he burnt it it would occasion the Revolt of the whole Province against him Those Reasons induc'd him to endeavour an Accommodation which in appearance might save his Authority and serve for a pretence to Pardon the Inhabitants of Agen. The Duke de la Rochefoucault spoke to some of the most considerable Citizens and prevail'd with them to go to the Town-Hall there to Depute some among them to the Prince to beg his Pardon and to intreat him to come to their Assembly there to prescribe the means to preserve Agen in the Submission and Loyalty they had sworn to him The Prince accordingly went thither and told them that it had always been his Intention to preserve their Freedom entire and that the only end for which he had sent Souldiers thither was to ease them and help them to Guard the City but that since they did not desire it he was willing to remove them provided the City would raise a Regiment of Foot at their own Charge and give him the Names of the Officers These Conditions were easily agreed to the Barricado's were remov'd the Souldiers march'd out again and the City remain'd in appearance as quiet and full of Submission as it was before the Sedition The Prince of Conde who could not confide in those Appearances remain'd some time in Agen to put the City in its former state again at which time he receiv'd the News that the Army from Flanders Commanded by the Duke of Nemours and the Duke of Orleance's Forces Commanded by the Duke of Beaufort were joyn'd and on their March towards the River Loire This Joy was notwithstanding mix'd with some Disquiet On the one hand he saw an Army from Spain he had so long expected in the middle of the Kingdom which might come to the Relief of Montroâ—d or to joyn with him in Guienne But at the same time he was also inform'd that the Dukes of Nemours and of Beaufort could no ways agree and that their Division was grown to a very dangerous pitch Their Armies being separate it was impossible for them to keep the Field before the King's Army Commanded by the Marshals of Turenne and Hoquincourt reinforc'd by the Troops â—he Cardinal had brought along with him besides the Neighbourhood of the Court The Duke of Nemours's Orders were to cross the River of Loire in order to relieve Montrond and to March immediately towards Guienne whereas the Orders the Duke of Beaufort daily receiv'd from the Duke of Orleance were directly opposite Monsieur could not consent that the Army should march away so far from Paris fearing lest the People or the Parliament should alter their minds seeing the Duke of Nemours's Army march into Guienne while the King 's remain'd in their Neighbourhood The Coadjutor of Paris in whom Monsieur confided most at that time seconded this Advice and augmented the fear and Natural Iâ—resolutions of that Prince By keeping the Army on this side the River Loire he made it of no use to the Prince of Conde whose Enemy he was and made himself more considerable at Court by shewing that being Master of Monsieur's Conduct it was in his power to advance or keep back the Progress of the Army and thus omitted no means to obtain a Cardinal's Cap. Chavigny on his side harbour'd as great Designs he expected to govern Monsieur by making him senâ—â—â—le that â—e govern'd the Prince and flatter'd himâ—â—â—â— to become Master of the Prince's Conduct by shewing him he was Master of Monsieur's His Projects did not stop there from the very beginning of the War he had taken his Measures to become â— Negotiator of Peace and had united himself to the Duke of Roâ—an believing that he might be equally useful to him with Monsieur and with the Prince He likewise thought he had taken all necessary precautions towards the Cardinal by means of Fabret Governour of Sedan and whereas he â—ut no Bounds to his Ambition and his Hopes he did not question but in making a particular Peace he should be chosen with the Cardinal to conclude the General Peace He fancy'd moreover that making use of the Credit the Prince of Conde could give him among the Spaniards he should have all the Credit of the Good Successes and the Cardinal on the contrary all the Shame and blame of â—he ill Events And that thus he should enter into the Ministry of Affairs again either with the Glory of having concluded the Peace or with the Advantage of laying the blame of it on Mazarin in case it should not be effected In order thereunto he writ several times to the Prince to press him to quit Guienne he represented to him how necessary his Presence was in the Army that in suffering it to be destroy'd he would lose his last Stake but that in making Progresses in the heart of the Kingdom and in the King's sight he would not only immediately retrieve his Affairs in Guienne but all the rest of his Party The Prince of Conde suffer'd himself easily to be perswaded by Chavigny's Reasons but the principal Motive which induc'd him to it was his desire of quitting Guienne at a time when the weakness of his Army oblig'd him continually to fly before Count d' Harcourt He communicated his Design to the Duke de la Rochefoucault
advanc'd and the Prince of Marsillac who chanc'd to be Twelve or Fifteen Yards behind the Squadron that gave ground turn'd back upon an Officer whom he â—â—â—â—'d between the two Squadrons The Prince of Conde as I have declar'd already stopt his and forc'd it to turn back upon his Enemies who had not dar'd to pursue it for fear of its being sustain'd by some Infantry During this Disorder Thirty Horse had cross'd the Defile The Prince of Conde plac'd himself immediately at the Head of them with the Duke de la Rochefoucault and attacking Marshal d' Hoquincourt in the Flank he caus'd him to be charg'd in the Front by the Squadron where he had lost the Duke of Beaufort This made an end of overthrowing the Enemies of which part threw themselves into Bleneau and the rest were pursu'd three or four Leagues towards Auxere without their endeavouring to Rally They lost all their Baggage and Three Hundred Horse were taken This Overthrow might have been greater had not the Prince been inform'd that Marshal Turenne's Army was in sight This News oblig'd him to retire to his Foot who had quitted their Post to Plunder and having rally'd his Forces he march'd towards Marshal Turenne who plac'd his Army in Battle in a very large Plain within less than Musquet-shot of a very large Wood through the midst of which the Prince of Conde was oblig'd to March to come up to him This Passage was large enough of it self to March two Squadrons a-breast But whereas it was very Marshy and that several Ditches had been made to drain it there was no coming to the Plain without making Defiles The Prince of Conde finding it possess'd by his Enemies threw his Infantry to the Right and Left into the Wood which border'd it in order to keep the Enemy at a distance from it and it succeeded according to his desires For Marshal Turenne dreading the Inconveniency of the Musquetry quitted his Post to take another at a little more distance and upon a higher Ground than the Prince's This Movement perswaded the Prince that he was retiring towards Gien and that it would be easie to beat him in the disorder of his Retreat before he could reach it To this end he caus'd his Cavalry to advance and made hast to make six Squadrons pass the Defiles in order to enter the Plain but the Marshal of Turenne being sensible how disadvantageous it would be for him to Combat the Prince in the Plain he having a Victorious Army that was much stronger than his resolv'd to turn back with Sword in hand upon those six Squadrons in order to defeat those that were past and to stop the remainder of the Forces that were still on the other side of the Defile The Prince guessing at his Intention caus'd his Horse to retire again and thus the Defiles hindring them from coming at one another without great disadvantage they only caus'd their Artillery to advance on both sides and fir'd a very considerable while at one another but with a very different success for besides that the Marshal of Turenne's having more Artillery and better Guns than his Enemy's it had the Advantage of a higher Ground over the Princes Forces which being very close in the passage which separated the Wood most of the shot did light upon them and they lost above sixscore Men and several Officers among which was Mare Brother to the Marshal of Grancey The remainder of the day past in this manner At the 〈◊〉 of the Sun the Marshal of Turenne retir'd 〈◊〉 Gien the Marshal of Hoquincourt who 〈◊〉 joyn'd him since his Defeat remain'd in the 〈◊〉 of the Army and going with some Officers 〈◊〉 draw out the Squadron that was nearest to the â—â—â—ily he was discover'd by the Prince who sent him word that he would be glad to see him and â—hat he might advance upon his Parole He did â—haâ— the Prince desir'd and advancing with some Officers he met the Prince accompany'd by the Dukes de la Rochefoucault and of Beaufort and two or three more The Conversation pass'd in Civiliâ—iesâ— and Railleries on the Prince's side and in Justifications on the Marshal's for what had happen'd to him complaining of Monsieur de Turenne 〈◊〉 in reality and Justice it might be said that he 〈◊〉 perform'd two brave and very bold Actions thâ—t day the success of which sav'd both him and thâ— Court For as soon as he receiv'd Intelligence thâ—t the Marshal of Hoquincourt's Brigade which waâ— to joyn him the next day was attack'd he march'd with a very small number of Men to the place where he was met in Battalia where he â—arry'd all the day for the remainder of his Forces exposing himself thereby to an inevitable Defeat had the Prince march'd up directly towards him instead of pursuing the Forces he had defeated in the Night for two or three Leagues He also sav'd that very day the remainders of the King's Army with great Valour and Conduct when he turn'd back upon the six Squadrons of the Prince that had past the Defily and by that Action stopt an Army which without doubt would have destroy'd hâ—â— utterly could it once have been plac'd in Order of Battel in the same Plain where he was The King's Army being retir'd the Prince march'd his towards Chatillon and that Night lodg'd in the Quarters upon the Canal of Briare near La Bruslerie The next day he repair'd to Chatillon with all his Forces the which he left two days after under the Command of Clinchant and Count Tavannes in order to go to Paris with the Dukes of Beaufort and de la Rochefoucault That Journey was of greater Consequence than it appear'd to him at that time and I am perswaded that the only desire of going to Paris there to receive the general Applause which the Success of so perillous a Journey and so great a Victory deserv'd made him approve Chavigny's Reasons who earnestly desir'd to be countenanc'd by the Prince's presence and Authority in order to fill up the place which the Cardinal of Rets held in the Duke of Orleance's favour He was in hopes as I have already declar'd to render himself equally considerable to those two Princes by perswading each of them that he was the real promoter of their Union besides he fancy'd that it was the easiest way to succeed in his Project with Fabert He therefore press'd the Prince to come to Paris in order to oppose the Progress the Cardinal of Rets made upon the Duke of Orleance's Mind and to improve the favourable disposition the Parliament was in at that time having made a Decree by which they had proscrib'd and put a Price upon Cardinal Mazarin's Head Whatever Impressions Chavigny's Counsels made upon the Prince it is certain that he follow'd them he was receiv'd at Paris with so many Acclamations and such Testimonies of publick Joy that he did not think he had any cause to Repent his Journey All things remain'd for a
while in this Condition but whereas the Army wanted Forrage about Chatillon and Montargis and that they durst neither remove it farther from Paris nor bring it nearer to it it was remov'd to Estampes where they imagin'd it might remain a considerable while with safety and abundance of all things The Dukâ— of Nemours was not yet cur'd of his Wound when the Prince receiv'd Intelligence that some of the King's Forces Commanded by the Count of Musseâ—s and the Marquess of St. Mesgrin Lieutenâ—nt Generals were on their March from St. Gerâ—â—â—s and St. Cloud with two Pieces of Canon in 〈◊〉 to Charge an Hundred Men of the Regiâ—ent of Conde who had retrench'd themselves upon a Bridge and had broken one of the Arches of iâ— Upon this News the Prince got immediately â—n Horse-back with such as chanc'd to be about â—im but the Report thereof being spread through the City all the Persons of Quality that were there went to meet him at Boulogne and were follow'd by 8 or 10000 Citizens in Arms. The King's Forces only fir'd some Canon and retir'd without enâ—eaâ—ouring to make themselves Masters of the Bridge but the Prince of Conde being willing to improve the good Disposition of those Citizens assign'd them Officers and made them March towaâ—ds St. Denis where he was inform'd that there was a Garrison of 200 Switzers those Forces arâ—â—â—'d there about Night and those within being â—larm'd thereat soon alarm'd those without for the Prince being surrounded by Three Hundred Horse selected and compos'd of the bravest and moâ—â— undaunted Men of his Party found himself deseâ—â—ed by them at the very first Firing of the Eâ—emy none but six persons remaining about him The remainder fled in a disorder and fell in among the Infantry of the Citizens which was daunted thereat and had certainly follow'd the Example of the Gentry had not the Prince and those thaâ— remain'd about him stopt them and made them â—nter St. Denis through old Breaches that were unguarded Whereupon all those persons of Quality who had abandon'd him came back to him every one alledging some particular Reason to excuse his Flight although the shame of it was common â—o them all The Switzers endeavour'd to defend some Barricado's in the Town but being press'd close they retir'd into the Abby where they surrender'd themselves within two hours Prisoners of War No Acts of Hostility were committed against the Inhabitants or Convents and the Prince of Conde retiâ—'d back to Paris leaving Deslande a Captain in the Regiment of Conde with 200 Men in St. Denis which was re-taken that very Night by the King's Forces but Deslande retir'd into the Church where he held out three days Tho' no particular Circumstance render'd that Action considerable in it self yet it dispos'd the Citizens to favour the Prince and they all prais'd him so much the rather because every one of them quoted him as a Witness of his Courage and the Dangers he fancy'd he had been expos'd to in that Action In the mean while the Duke of Rohan and Chavigny resolv'd to prosecute their first Design and to take the Advantage of so favourable a Conjuncture in order to make some Propositions about an Accommodation They imagind the Court would sincerely accomplish whatever Fabert had propos'd to them only with a Design to engage them with the Cardinal who was willing to make use of them to draw in the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Conde into that Abyss of Negotiations into the bottom of which no body could ever dive the which all along prov'd very favourable to him and fatal to his Enemies The first days of the Prince's Arrival were no sooner past but all the Intrigues and Cabals were renew'd again on all sides and whether he were really weary of maintaining so Penible a War or that his abode in Paris inspir'd him with a desire and hopes of Peace for a while he quitted all other thoughts to apply himself to find out means to make as advantageous a one as â—e had projected The Duke of Rohan and Chaâ—â—â—â—â— gave him great hopes about it in order to 〈◊〉 him to entrust them with the Care of that Negotiation and to let them go by themselves â—ith â—â—ulas to St. Germans there to Treat about â—is and the Duke of Orleance's Concerns It was liâ—ewise propos'd to send the Duke de la Rochefouâ—â—â—â—â— â—hither and the Prince desir'd it for several Reasons but he declin'd it imagining either that the Peace was already concluded between Monsieur and the Court under-hand by Chavigny without the Prince's participation or that it would not be concluded at that time not only because the Prince's Pretensions were too great but likewise because the Duke of Rohan and Chavigny would secure their own preferrably to all the rest Thus the Duke of Rohan Chavigny and Goulas went to St. Germans with positive Orders not to see Cardinal Mazarin or to Treat about any thing with him The Duke of Orleance's Demands consisted chiefly in the Removing of the Cardinal but the Prince of Conde's had more Latitude by reason that havâ—ng engag'd the City and Parliament of Bordeaux in his Party together with a great number of Persons of Quality he had made particular Treaties with them by which he was engag'd not to make any with the Courâ— without comprising their Interests in it in the manner I shall relate hereafter No body did in the least question the Success of those Gentlemen's Journey there being no likelihood that a Man of Chavigny's Parts and Understanding who knew the Court and Cardinal Mazarin by so long an Experience would have engag'd in so great a Negotiation having manag'd it for three Months together without being certain of the Success But every body was soon undeceiv'd by the Return of those Deputies who had not only treated with Cardinal Mazarin contrary to the express Orders they had receiv'd about it but moreover instead of demanding for the Prince what was set down in their Instructions had only insisted chiefly upon the establishing of a necessary Council almost in the form of that which the late King had order'd upon his Death-Bed Upon which Condition they were to prevail with the Prince to consent that Cardinal Mazarin accompany'd by Chavigny should go to treat about a General Peace inâ—tead of the Prince and that it should be Lawful for him to come back into France after the Conclusion thereof As those Propositions were contrary to the Prince's Interests and Sentiments he receiv'd them with great Indignation against Chavigny and resolv'd for the future never to give him the least knowledge of whatever he should Treat of in Secret with the Court. To that end he gave Gourville Instructions which were drawn in presence of the Dutchess of Chastillon the Dukes of Nemours and de la Rochefoucault which contain'd what followeth 1. That they would hearken to no Negotiation after that Day and that they expected a positive Answer to all the Articles of
Yes or No since they could not desist from any of them That they desir'd to Act sincerely and consequently that they would Promise nothing but what they were willing to perform and that for that Reason they would be certain of what the Court should Promise 2. That they desi'd Cardinal Mazarin should immediately quit the Kingdom and repair to Bouillon 3. That the Duke of Orleance and the Prince of Conde should be impowr'd forthwith to Treat about a General Peace 4. That to that end Just and Reasonable Conditions should be agreed upon and that the Prince should be allow'd to send into Spain in order to agree upon a place for the Conference 5. That a Council should be made compos'd of unsuspected Persons which should be agreed upon 6. That there should be no Superintendent and that the Revenue Taxes Impositions c. should be regulated by a good Councilâ— 7. That all such who had serv'd Monsâ—â—â—â— or the Prince should be restor'd to their Estates and Places Governments Pensions and Assignations which should be assign'd upon good Funds and the like for Monsieur and for the Princes 8. That Satisfaction should be given to the Duke of Orleance upon those things he might desire for himself and for his Friends 9. That the Forces and Officers that had follow'd the Princes should be treated as they were before and should possess the same Ranks they had before 10. That the Court should grant the Inhabitants of Bordeaux those things they desir'd before the War and for which they had Deputies at Court 11. That the Taxes should be diminish'd in Guienne according as it should be agreed upon sincerely 12. That the Prince of Conty should have leave to Treat with Monsieur d' Angoulesine about the Government of Provence and to give him the Government of Champayne in exchange or else to sell it to whoever he should think fit to give him the Money of it and that for the overplus he should be assisted with such a Sum of Money as should be agreed upon 13. That the Government of Auvergne should be given to the Duke of Nemours 14. That leave should be given to President Viole to Treat about a place of President a Mortier or of Secretary of State upon Promise that it should be the first vacant and a Sum of Money in present to facilitate the obtaining of it 15. That the Court should grant the Duke de la Rochefoucault the Breviate he desir'd equal to that of Messieurs de Bouillon and Guienne and the Government of Angoumois and St. Tonge or the Sum of Sixscore Thousand Crowns and leave to Purchase the said Government or any other he should have a mind to 16. That the Prince of Tarente should have a Breviate about his Rank equal to the Duke of Bouillon's and that he should be put in Possession of it and that he should be reimburs'd for the Losses he had sustain'd by the taking and demolishing of Taillebourg according to the Account he should deliver about it 17. That Messieurs de Marsin and du Doignon should be made Marshals of France 18. That Monsieur de Montespan should be made a Duke 19. That the Duke of Rohan should be restor'd to his Governments of Anjou and Anger 's and that the Pont de Ce together with the Jurisdiction of Saumur should be granted him 20. That the Government of Bergerac and Sainte Foy should be given to Monsieur de la Force and the survivance to his Son the Marquess of Castelnau That the Marquess of Sillery should be certain of being made Knight of the Order of the Holy Ghost at the first Promotion or Instalment and that a Breviate should be given him for it together with the Sum of 50000â— Crowns to Purchase a Government Upon which Conditions they would engage to lay down their Arms and to consent fâ—eely to any Advantages for Cardinal Mazarin and to his Return into France within the space of three Months or at the time when the Prince having adjusted the Articles of a general Peace with the Spaniards should be at the place of Conference with the Ministers of Spain and have given an Account of the Peace's being ready to be sign'd the which he would not Sign until the said Cardinal were actually return'd But that the Money mention'd by the Treaty should be paid before his Return The Cardinal hearken'd to Gourville's Propositions and seem'd not to dislike them whether it â—ere that he really was inclin'd to grant them or that he was willing the Difficulties should arise â—â—se where But the Duke of Bouillon who dreaded â— Peace should be concluded on without his having the Dutchy of Albret which the Prince was 〈◊〉 Possession of in order to make him a Recompence in part for Sedan told the Cardinal That â—â—nce he thought it fit to favour all the Prince's Friends who were his sworn Enemies he thought it was yet more reasonable to do Justice to his Friends who had assisted him and maintain'd him against the Prince That he found no fault with what was design'd for the Dukes of Nemours and de lâ— Rochefoucault Marsin and the others but that at the same time he could not but think that having so considerable an Interest as the Dutchy of Albret was nothing should be concluded on withâ—â—â— obliging the Prince to satisfie him in that Point Whatever induc'd the Duke of Bouillon to use these Arguments it is most certain that they hindred the Cardinal from proceeding any farther and he sent back Gourville to the Prince in order to remove that Difficulty But whereas in all great Affairs delays are commonly very dangerous they were much more so in this which was not only compos'd of so many different Interests and view'd by so many opposite Cabals which endeavour'd to break it but was moreover manag'd by the Prince of Conde on one side and by Cardinal Mazarin on the other who tho' very opposite in some things yet were alike in many others particularly in Treating about all manner of Affairs without any limited Pretentions which is the Reason that when their desires are granted they still flatter themselves with obtaining more perswading themselves to that degree that all things are due to their good Fortune that the Balance can never be kept sufficiently even between them nor can ever remain long enough in that condition to afford them time to resolve upon a Treaty and to conclude it Other Obstacles were joyn'd to these It was the Cardinal of Rets's Interest to prevent the Peace by reason that if it were made without his participation the Duke of Orleance and the Prince being united with the Court he would remain expos'd without any Protection On the other hand Chavigny being disgusted with the Court and with the Prince after the ill Success of his Negotiation concluded that it was better to break the Treaty than suffer it to be made by any but himself I cannot tell whether the Conformity of Interests
that happen'd to meet at that time between the Cardinal of Rets and Chavigny made them joyn to hinder the Prince's Treaty or whether either of them prevail'd with the Duke of Orleance to do it but I have been inform'd since by a Person I must Credit that while Gourville was at St. Germans Monsieur sent the Duke d' Anville to Cardinal Mazarin to desire him not to conclude any thing with the Prince because he design'd the Court should be solely oblig'd to him for a Peace That he was ready to go to the King and thereby to give an Example which should be follow'd by the Inhabitants and by the Parliament of Paris It was very probable that such a Proposition should be hearken'd unto preferably to all others And in effect whether by this Reason or by the other I have alledg'd before about the Prince and Cardinal Mazarin's Minds or whether as I always believ'd it the Cardinal was never inclinable to a Peace and only made use of Negotiations for a Snare in which he could surprize his Enemies In fine all things were entangled to that degree that the Duke de la Rochefoucaulâ— no longer would suffer his People to meddle with Negotiations which â—â—in'd his Party and charg'd Gourville to get a positive Answer from the Cardinal the second time he was sent to St. Germans with Orders never to return thither again In the mean while besides that the Prince's Inclinations were not constantly fix'd on a Peace he was continually combated by the divers Interests of those who endeavour'd to disswade him from it Cardinal Mazarin's Enemies did not think themselves reveng'd while he remain'd in France And the Cardinal of Rets was sensible that in case the Prince should come to an Accommodationâ— it would ruin his Credit and expose him to his Enemies Whereas the War continuing it would certainly ruin the Prince or banish Cardinal Mazarin â— by which means he remaining alone near the Duke of Orleance might render himself considerable at Court whereby he propos'd very considerable Advantages On the other hand the Spaniards offer'd whatever might tempt the Prince and us'd all their Endeavours in order to prolong the Civil War his nearest Relations his Friends nay even his very Attendants seconded the same out of Self-Interest In fine all People were divided in Cabals to make a Peace or continue the War No Arguments or Politicks were omitted to perswade the Prince to embrace either of these Parties when the Dutchess of Chatillon rais'd a desire of Peace in him by more agreeable means She imagin'd that so great a good was only to be promoted by her Beauty and mixing some Ambition with the desire of making a new Conquest she resolv'd at once to Triumph over the Prince of Conde's Heart and to draw from the Court all the Advantages of that Negotiation Those were not the only Reason that inspir'd those thoughâ—s in her Vanity and Revenge contributed more towards it than any thing else The Emulation which Beauty and Gallantry often produces among Ladies had occasion'd great Jealousies between the Dutchess of Longueville and Madame de Chatillon They had long conceal'd their Sentiments but at last they appear'd publickly on both sides Madame de Chatillon putting no Bounds to her Victory not only obligd the Duke of Nemours to break off all his Engagements with Madame de Longueville in a very disobliging manner but at the same time resolv'd to take from her all the knowledge of Aâ—fairs and to be the sole disposer of the Conduct and Interests of the Prince The Duke of Nemours who had great Engagements with her approv'd her Design and believd that since it was in his power to Regulate the Dutchess of Chatillon's Conduct towards the Prince she would inspire him with whatever Sentiments he pleas'd and that thus he should dispose of the Prince's Mind by the power he had over the Dutchess of Chatillon's The Duke de la Rochefoucault at that time had the greatest share of any body in the Prince's favour and at the same time had very strict Engagements both with the Duke of Nemours and with Madame de Chatillon He was very sensible of the Prince's Irresolutions towards a Peace and fearing as it happen'd since that the Spanish and the Dutchess of Longueville's Cabals would joyn in order to remove the Prince from Paris where he might daily Treat without their Participation he imagin'd that the Dutchess of Chatillon's Design would be able to remove all the Obstacles that oppos'd a Peace and for that Reason induc'd the Prince to engage with her and to give her Merlou for her self He likewise prevaild with her to behave her self so prudently towards the Prince and the Duke of Nemours as to preserve them both and perswaded the Duke of Nemours to approve of this Engagement which he ought not to be Jealous of since he was acquainted therewith and that it was only design'd to place him at the Helm of Affairs This Intrigue being manag'd and regulated by the Duke de la Rochefoâ—cault gave him almost an absolute Power over all those that compos'd it And thus those four Persons being equally advantag'd thereby it would certainly have had at last the Success they had propos'd had not Fortune oppos'd it by a World of unavoidable Accidents In the mean time the Dutchess of Chatillon being desirous to appear at Court with all the Advantages she deriv'd from her new Credit She went thither with so absolute a Power from the Prince that it was look'd upon rather as an Effect of his Complaisance towards her and a desire of flattering her Vanity than a real Intention of coming to an Accommodation She came back to Paris with great hopes but the Cardinal only reap'd solid Advantages by that Negotiation he gain'd Time he augmented the Suspicions of the opposite Cabal and amus'd the Prince at Paris by the hopes of a Treaty while they took Guienne and his Towns from him and while the King's Army commanded by the Marshals of Turenne and Hoquincourt held the Field and his was retir'd in Estampes Moreover it did not remain long there without receiving a considerable Loss which was this The Marshal of Turenne being inform'd that Mademoâ—sâ—lle passing through Estampes had been desirous to see the Army in Battalia he caus'd his Forces to March and arriv'd in the Suburb of Estampes before those which compos'd the Army that was lodg'd there could be in a condition to defend their Quarter It was forc'd and pillag'd and the Marshals of Turenne and d' Hoquincourt retir'd to theirs after having kill'd 1000 or 1200 Men of the Princeâ—s best Forces and carry'd away abundance of Prisoners This Success rais'd the hopes of the Court to that degree that they design'd to Besiege Estampes and all the Army that was in it Whatever Difficulty seem'd to attend that Enterprize it was resolv'd upon in hopes to meet with Astonishment in the Men and Division in the Commanders a Town
the Seine Without doubt he would not have done it had he followed his own Inclination and it had been much safer and much easier to leave the River Seine on the left hand and to march by Meudon and Vaugirard to Encamp under the Fauxbourg St. Germans where perhaps he should not have been attack'd for fear of Engaging the Parisians in his Defence But the Duke of Orleance would by no means consent to it not only as was represented to him out of fear of a Combat he might see from the Windows of his Palace of Luxemburg but also because some perswaded him that the King's Artillery would make a continual Fire against it to force him to quit it Thus the Opinion of an imaginary Peril made the Duke of Orleance expose the Prince of Conde â—s Life to the greatest danger he had ever been in He caus'd his Army to march at the beginning of the Night on the first of Iuly and expecting to reach Charenton before his Enemies could come up to him he march'd through the Cours of the Queen-Mother and round about the City from the Gate of St. Honoré to the Gate of St. Anthony in order to â—arch from thence to Charenton He did not desire leave to March through Paris for fear of a denial which at that time would have discover'd the ill Condition of his Affairs Besides he was afraid that having obtain'd it his Forces would disperse themselves in the City and that it would be difficult to force them out of it in case of Necessity The Court soon receiv'd Intelligence of his March and the Marshal of Turenne follow'd him immediately with what Forces he had in order to stop him until Marshal de la Ferté who â—ollow'd with is Army could come up to him In the mean time the King was sent to Charonne to behold from that place as from a Theatre that Action which according to appearances was like to prove the absolute Overthrow of the Prince and the end of the Civil War but in Effect that which prov'd one of the boldest and most perillous Occasions that ever was seen in War and that in which the Prince of Conde's great Endowments appear'd to the best Advantage Fortune it self seem'd to be reconcil'd to him in that Occasion and would have a share in a Success of which both Parties have imputed the Glory to his Valour and Conduct For he was attac'd precisely at a time in which he could make use of the Retrenchments the Inhabitants of the Suburb of St. Anthony had made to secure themselves from being pillag'd by the Duke oâ— Lorrain's Forces and it was the only place in all the March he design'd that had any Retrenchments and in which he could avoid being absolutely defeaâ—ed nay even some Squadrons of his Rear were charg'd in the Suburb of St. Martin by some Men the Marshal of Turenne had detach'd to amuse him they retir'd in disorder in the Retrenchment of the Suburb of St. Anthony in which he had plac'd himself in Battalia He had but just so much time as was necessary to that end and to garnish those Posts through which he could be attack'd with Foot and Horse He was forc'd to place the Baggage of the Army upon the side of the Ditch of St. Anthony because the Parisians had refus'd to receive it Moreover some Carriages had been plunder'd and those of the Court-Party had contriv'd Affairs so that the Event of that Business should be seen from thence as from a Neuter place The Prince of Conde preserv'd about him such of his Attendants as happen'd to be there and such Persons of Quality as had no Command the number of which amounted to about Thirty or Forty The Marshal of Turenne dispos'd his Attacks with all the Diligence and Confidence of a Man who thinks himself certain of Victory His detach'd Men being come within 30 Yards of the Retrenchment the Prince came out upon them with the Squadron I have mention'd and charging them with Sword in hand defeated their Battalion absolutely took some Officers Prisoners carry'd away their Colours and retir'd to his Retrenchment On the other hand the Marquess of St. Mesgrin attack'd the Post that was defended by Count de Tavannes Lieutenant-General and Languais Mareschal de Camp who made so brave a Resistance that the Marquess of St. Mesgrin finding that his Infantry flinch'd being hurry'd on by Heat and Anger advanc'd with the King's Troop of Chevaux Legers in a Street shut up with Barricado's where he was kill'd with the Marquess of Nantouillet Le Fouilloux and some others Mancini Cardinal Mazarin's Nephew was wounded and dy'd of his Wounds some time after The Attacks were continu'd on all sides with great Vigour and the Prince of Conde charg'd the Enemies a second time with an equal Success to the first he appear'd every where in the middle of the Fire and Combat and gave his Orders with that calmness of Mind which is so necessary and yet so seldom met with on those Occasions Finally the King's Forces having forc'd the last Barricado of the Street call'd du Cours which leads to Vincennes they entred in Order of Battle as far as the Market-place of the Suburb of St. Anthony whereupon the Prince ran thither charg'd them and destroying whatever oppos'd him regain'd that Poâ—â— and forc'd the Enemies out of it Nevertheless they were Masters of a second Barricado which was in the Street that goes to Câ—arenton the which was Forty Yards beyond a very large Square adjoyning to the said Street The Marquess of â—oâ—illes had made himself Master of it and in order to keep it the better he had caus'd the Houses to be pierc'd through and had plac'd Musquetiers in all those before which they were oblig'd to pass to come up to the said Barricado The Prince of Conde did design to go with some Infantry to cause other Houses to be pierc'd to force them to retire by a greater Fire which indeed was the best way but the Duke of Beaufort who chanc'd not to be near the Prince at the beginning of the Attack being somewhat Jealous at the Duke of Nemours having been there all along press'd the Prince to cause the said Barricado to be attack'd by Infantry that was already tyr'd and discourag'd the which instead of going up to the Enemy kept close to the Houses and would not Advance At the same time a Squadron of the Forces from Flanders that had been posted in a Street which butted in one of the corners of the Square on that side where the Houses were being no longer able to â—arry there for fear of being surrounded as soon as the Houses thereabouts should be taken came back into the Square and the Duke of Beaufort believing that they were Enemies propos'd to the Dâ—kes de la Rochefoucault and Nemours who arriv'd there at that time to Charge them and they being follow'd by all the Persons of Quality and Voluntiers they march'd up to
them and expos'd themselves to no purpose to all the Shot of the Barricado and of the Houses of the Square for in joyning they knew themselves to be all of the same Party But at the same time perceiving some astonishment in those who guarded the Barricado the Dukes of Nemours Beaufort de la Rochefoucault and the Prince of Marsillac charg'd them and forc'd them to quit it After which they alighted and guarded it themselves the Infantry that was Commanded refusing to second them The Prince of Conde stood firm in the Street with those that had rally'd about him In the mean time the Enemies who were possess'd of all the Houses of the Street seeing the Barricado guarded only by four Men would certainly have re-taken it had not the Prince's Squadron hindred them but there being no Infantry to hinder their Firing from the Windows they began to Fire again from all sides and saw the four who kept the Barricade side-ways from head to foot The Duke of Nemouâ—s receiv'd Thirteen Shot upon his Armour the Duke de la Rochefoucault likewise receiv'd a Musquet-shot in the Face above the Eyes by which he losing his sight the Duke of Beaufort and the Prince of Marsillac were oblig'd to retire with these two wounded Lords The Enemies pursu'd them but the Prince of Conde advanc'd to dis-engage them and gave them time to get on Horse back in so much that they were again oblig'd to abandon to the King's Forces the Post they had just taken from them Almost all those who had been with them in the Square were kill'd or wounded among others they lost the Marquesses of Flamarin and de la Rocheguiffard the Count of Castres the Count de Bossâ—â— Desfourâ—eaux La Martiniere La Motte Gayonne Bercenes Captain of the Guards to the Duke de la Rochefoucault de L' Huilliere who likewise belong'd to him and many others whose Names cannot be set down here In fine the Number of the Dead and Wounded was so considerable on both sides that both Parties seem'd rather intent to repair their Losses than to attack their Enemies This kind of Truce however was most advantageous to the King's Forces who were disgusted by so many Attacks in which they had still been â—eaten and repuls'd for during those Transactions the Marshal de la Ferte march'd with all speed and was preparing to make a new Effort with his fresh and entire Army when the Parisians who till â—hen had been Spectators of so great an Action declar'd in favour of the Prince of Conde They had been so much prejudic'd by the Arts of the Court and of the Cardinal of Rets and had been perswaded to that degree that the Prince had made a Peace by himself without minding their Interests that they did look upon the beginning of that Action as a Play that was acted between him and Cardinal Mazarin to blind them The Duke of Orleance confirm'd them in that thought by his giving no Orders in the City to Succour the Prince The Cardinal of Rets was with him who still augmented the Trouble and Irreâ—olution of his Mind in proposing Difficulties to whatever he would undertake On the other hand St. Anthony's Gate was guarded by a Regiment of the Train-bands whose Officers being gain'd by the Court almost equally hindred People from going out or coming into the City Finally all things were ill dispos'd to receive the Prince and his Forces there when Mademoiselle making an Effort upon her Father's Mind drew him out of the Lethargy in which he had been kept by the Cardinal of Reâ—s She went to the Town-House to order the Citizens to take Arms and at the same time commanded the Governour of the Bastille to fire his Ordnance upon the King's Forces and coming back to St. Anthony's Gate she not only dispos'd all the Ciâ—izens to receive the Prince and his Army but moreover to March out and to make some Skirmishes while his Forces were entring That which made an end of moving the People in the Prince of Conde's behalf was to see so many Persons of Quality carry'd back both dead and wounded The Duke de la Rochefoucault being willing to improve that favourable Conjuncture for the Advantage of his Party although his Wound made both his Eyes almost come out of his Head went on Horse-back from the place where he was wounded to the Fauxbourg St. German exhorting the People to assist the Prince of Conde and for the future to distinguish better the Intention of those who had accus'd him of having treated with the Court. This for a while had the Effect he desir'd and Paris was never better affected to the Prince than it was at that time In the mean time the noise of the Canon of the Bastille produc'd at one and the same time two very different Sentiments in Cardinal Mazarin's Mind for at first he believ'd that Paris was Declaring against the Prince and that he was going to Triumph over that City and over his Enemy But finding that instead thereof they fir'd upon the King's Forces he sent Orders to the Marshals of France to retire with the Army and to March back to St. Denis That Day prov'd one of the most Glorious of the Prince of Conde's Life his Valour and his Conduct never had a greater share in any of his Victories and it may be said with Truth that so many Persons of Quality never made a smaller number of Men fight The Colours were carried to Notre Dame and all the Officers were put at Liberty upon their Parole Notwithstanding this the Negotiations were continued every Cabal was desirous to make the Peace or to hinder the others from doing it and the Prince and Cardinal were absolutely resolv'd not to make it Chavigâ—y had made his Peâ—ce 〈◊〉 the Prince in Appearance but it would be difficult to tell what his Sentiments had been â—ill then by reason that his natural Levity daily inspired him with such as were directly opposite he was for pushing things to Extremity when ever he had any Prospect of destroying â—he Cardinal and of enâ—ring into the Ministry of Affairs again and he was for begging a Peace whenever he imagined his Lands should be Pillag'd and his Houses pâ—ll'd down Nevertheless at that time he chanc'd to be of Opinion with the rest that it would be proper to profit of the good Disposition the People was in and to propose an Assembly â—t the Townâ—House in order to resolve to have the Duke of Orleance acknowledge'd Lieutenant General of the Crown of France That they should enter into an inseparable Union to procure the removal of the Cardinal and that the Duke of Beaufort should be invested with the Government of Paris in the room of the Marshal de L' Hospital that Broussel should be made Prevost des Merchands or Lord Mayor in the room of Le Febure But that Assembly in which they expected to find the safety of the Party prov'd one of the
prov'd nevertheless less Fatal to him than to Monsieur de Chavigny who having had a very rough Esclaircissement with the Prince he was seiz'd with a Fever of which he dyed few days after Hiâ— Miâ—fortune did not end with his Life and Death which should terminate all Hatreds seem'd to have reviv'd his Enemy's against him All manner of Crimes were imputed to him and the Prince particularly justify'd himself at his Cost of the Jealousie the Spaniards and the Frondeurs conceiv'd of a secret Treaty with the Court He complain'd that Chavigny had hearken'd to some Propositions of the Abbot Fouquet without his participation altho' he had order'd him so to do in Writing and that he had promis'd to make him relinquish some Articles which he could not do The Prince likewise caus'd a Copy to be written of an intercepted Letter from the aforesaid Abbot the Original of which I have seen whereby he acquainted the Court that Goulas would incline the Duke of Orleance to abandon the Prince unless he accepted the Conditions of Peace that were offer'd him But in the Copies the Prince had written of it he put the Name of Chavigny instead of Goulas whereby he accus'd him of Treason without giving any other Proofs thereof besides a falsify'd Copy of that Letter written by the said Abbot Fouquet with whom the Prince daily treated and gave an Account thereof to Chavigny I can only impute the cause of so unjust and so extraordinary a proceeding to the extream desire the Prince had of making War the which being oppos'd by his Friends had made him alter his Conduct towards them and place all his Confidence in the Spaniards The Duke of Bouillon dy'd at that very time at Pontoise whose Death should have cur'd Men of Ambition and disgusted them from making so many different Projects in order to Rise For the Ambition of that Duke was accompany'd by all the extraordinary Qualifications that could render it prosperous He was brave and was a perfect Master in the Orders of War he had an Easie Natural Insinuating Eloquence A clear Understanding abounding in Expedients and fit to manage the most difficult Undertakings a sound Judgment and an admirable Talent in distinguishing He hearken'd mildly to the Counsels that were given him and he valu'd other Peoples Reasons so much that he seem'd to draw his Resolutions from thence But yet those Advantages prov'd almost useless to him through the obstinacy of his Fortune which always thwarted his Prudence The Spaniards were Revenging the Duke of Guise's Enterprize upon the Kingdom of Naples by a long and cruel Imprisonment and had long prov'd inexorable to all those who interceded for his Liberty However they granted it to the Prince and on thâ—t occasion they renounc'd one of their principal Maxims to link him the closer to their Party by a concession that is so extraordinary among them Thus the Duke of Guise receiv'd his Liberty when he least expected it and he came out of Prison engag'd by so great a Favour and by his Parole to enter into the Prince of Conde's Interests He came to him at Paris and perhaps believing he had acquitted himself of what he ow'd him by some Complements and some Visits he went soon after to meet the Court to offer the King what such great Obligations exacted from him towards the Prince As soon as Chavigny was dead the Prince began to take his Measures to go away with the Duke of Lorrain and indeed his Conduct had rendred his departure so necessary that it was the only way he had left for the Peace was too generally desir'd at Paris to remain there in safety with a design to oppose it The Duke of Orleance who had desir'd it all along and dreaded the Evil the Prince of Conde's Presence might draw upon him contributed so much the rather towards his Removal by reason that he found himself thereby free to make a particular Treaty Altho' Affairs stood on these terms the ordinary course of the Negotiation had not been interrupted for even at that time when Cardinal Mazarin was quitting the Kingdom for the second time to put a period to the pretences of the Civil War or to shew that the Prince had other Interests besides his Removal he sent Langlade Secretary to the Duke of Bouillon to the Duke de la Rochefoucault either out of a real desire to Treat thereby to facilitate his Return or hoping to draw great Advantages by his shewing that he desir'd a Peace In fine Langlade came with Conditions that were much fuller than all the others and almost conformable to what the Prince had demanded but they were equally refus'd and his Fate which drew him into Flanders did not permit him to discover the Precipice until it was too late to retreat Finally he departed with the Duke of Lorrain after having taken vain Measures with the Duke of Orleance to hinder the King from being receiv'd at Paris But his Credit was not sufficient at that time to cope with the Court 's He was order'd to leave Paris the very day the King was to arrive there and he obey'd immediately to avoid being a Spectator of the Triumph of his Enemies as well as of the Publick Joy MEMOIRS OF THE Prince of Conde BOOK VI. THE King came back to Paris on the 29 th of October A vast concourse of People went out to meet His Majesty and when he entred in the Evening into his Metropolis all the People gave marks of an Extraordinary Joy The next day the King caus'd a General Pardon to be read in the Gallery of the Louvre where the Parliament had been Conven'd by the King 's Writ after which the said Declaration was recorded In the next place His Majesty order'd the Duke of Orleance to retire to Limours and Mademoiselle de Montpensier to Bois le Vicomte The Duke of Beaufort the Duke of Rohan the Duke de la Rochefoucault and all the Prince of Conde â—s and the Dutchess of Longueville's Servants and all the near Relations of those who were in the Prince's Service were also order'd to quit Paris and to retire elsewhere The Prince of Conde who did not think himself safe by the General Pardon was gone towards the Frontiers of Picardy there to receive some Spanish and Lorrain Forces in order to joyn his Army After he had receiv'd this Reinforcement the remainder of the Spanish Forces and of those of Lorrain divided themselves to March on both sides of him in order to joyn and succour him in case of Necessity After which the Prince march'd towards Rheâ—â—l â— with a design to make himself Master of it He prâ—sented himself before it on the Thirtieth and took it the same day without any Resistance He left the Marquess of Persan there with some Infantry and little Horse and then he march'd directly to St. Menehoult with the Forces of Virtemberg with half those of Fuensaldagne and with Three Thousand
his Opinion to attack them briskly The Prince of Conde who Commanded the Spanish Army approv'd this Advice but the Count of Fuensaldâ—gne as Plenipotenâ—iary persuaded the Arch-Duke not to abandon the Attacks that had been projected alledging That tho' one should havâ— the Fortune to beat Monsieur de Turenne it would be impossible to continue the Siege by reason that abundance of Men would certainly be lost in an occasion of that nature Those two Chiefs being Master the Prince was oblig'd to acquiesce and Monsieur de Turenne had time enough allow'd him to retrench himself so well in his Camp that it was impossible to force him to a Combat which distracted the Prince Stenâ—y â—urâ—ender'd it self soon after which enabled thâ— French to send another Army Commanded by the Marshal de Hoquincourt who posted himself on the opposite side to Marshal de Turenne at the Abby of St. Eloy having forc'd some Infantry that was lodg'd there to retire with Canon Shoâ— The Armies were so near one another that the Centries could speak together insomuch that the Spaniards became as much besieg'd as Besiegers whereby they soon wanted Bread no longer enjoying the Liberty of the Field for Convoys Yet notwithstanding the Count of Fuensaldagne remain'd still obstinate in continâ—ing the Attacks in which they advanc'd but little though they lost abundance of Men. The Prince of Conde seeing how Affairs went on was positive to have the Siege rais'd and to have the Honour in their retreat to force Marshal de Hoquincourt's Army whicâ— was very easie to do by reason that the Spanish Army was two parts in three stronger than his but he could never prevail with him to do it and confiding more in the Spanish Resolution than in the Advice of the most Understanding he chose to look upon the total Ruine of the Army rather than save it in so glorious a manner Oâ— the other hand Marshal de Turenne being inâ—â—â—â—r'd wâ—â—h the Condition of the Spaniards by his 〈◊〉 â—he Loss they had sustain'd in their Attacks â—â—d the general Murmurings of the Spanish Army â—hich had an ill opinion of the Siege finally resolv'd â—o â—â—â—cour the place The Enterprize was dangeroâ—s and difficult to be pâ—t in execution for the 〈◊〉 finding themselves in danger of being attâ—ck'd fortified themselves daily and haâ— dug gâ—eat holes to hinder the Hoâ—se from passing there and to destroy the Foot but those Inconveniences were provided against Thâ—t which Monsieur de Tâ—renne was most troubled at was that the Governoâ—r had not till then been able to give him any acâ—ount of his Condition At last a Souldier venâ—ured out of the Town with a Note inclosed â—ithin a small Golden Box which he swallow'd Thiâ— Souldier arrived at Monsieur de la Ferte 〈◊〉 Quarters and having remained a Day there without going to Stool he took Clysters but though he took three they did not work upon him in the next place they gave him a Draught which hâ—d no effect neither The Marshal de la Ferte â—rowing very impatient was resolved to have the Soldier 's Belly ript open saying That it was betâ—er to lose a Man than a Place of so much Consequence 〈◊〉 Arâ—as But they gave him another Draught â—hich proved so strong that he was like to burst â—ith it the which brought out thâ— Box. The Goâ—ernour inform'd him by the said Note That he did not fear the Enemy's Power although they â—â—re upon the Ramparts and that he only dreaded one thing without explaining himself any fartherâ— This puzzled the Generals extreamly yet after some consideration every body concluded that Monsieur de Mondejeu feared the Arch-Duke would be ruled by the Prince of Conde and that the Succours would be cut in pieces which indeed was to be feared Neither this Note nor all the Precautions the Spaniards took could hinder Monsieur de Tureâ—â—â— from putting his Resolution in execution The 19 th of August he crossed the River of Scarps at the Head of his Cavalry and posted himself between the Spanish Camp and Mount St. Eloyâ— and the Marshal de Hoquincourt attack'd the Abby so vigorously with his Infantry that it surrender'd the same day The next day Monsieur de Turenne went to discover the Lines which were on the side of Mount St. Eloy and finding that they were weakly guarded and that the Prince was at such a distance from them that it would be impossible for him to come up time enoâ—gh to succour them he resolved to attack them in that place The 22 th he went to view the Prince of Conde's Quarters in order to keep the Spaniards uncertain of the place where he design'd to attack the Lines and having met that Prince who was come out at the Head of Ten Squadrons their passed a Skirmish between them in which the Duke of Ioyeuse was wounded and died some days after Finally on the 24 th in the Morning the Three French Armies the first of which was Commanded by Marshal de Turenne the second by the Marshal de la Ferte and the third by Marshal de Hoquincourt began the Attack with five Battalions in Front at the Head of which at four Yards distance marched detach'd Men to furnish them with Fascines or Bavins and whatever Instruments or Tools they had occasion for The Spaniards suffered the French to pass in several places without ever firing at them because they had dug holes there in order to secure themselves But as soon as they perceiv'd them upon the brim of the first Ditch they made a dreadful Discharge which did not however 〈…〉 the French from overcoming whatever â—ppos'd their passage They began immediately 〈…〉 the Pallisadoes and to fill up the holes 〈◊〉 in a very short space of time all the Spanish â—â—â—ks Retrenchments and Parapets were utterly 〈◊〉 The French Forces had been commanâ—â—â— not to advance any farther leâ—t the Besiegers 〈◊〉 expect them and make some extraordinary 〈◊〉 But no Forces appearing the French adâ—â—â—c'd until they met a Barrier which stopt them 〈◊〉 de Bellefons who commanded the Forlorn 〈◊〉 having removed it and thereby open'd the Paâ—â—age all the Battalions that had entred the Line 〈◊〉 without losing time the Spaniards no wise 〈◊〉 themselves in a posture of defence At that very time some Regiments having open'd the Lines in another place push'd the Spaniards which were behind the Breast-work at which time all Mâ—rshal de Turrenne's Horse charg'd without meeting the least opposition by reason that the Quarter of the Lorrainers had given ground and suffer'd Mâ—rshal d' Hoquincourt to enter But it proved otherwise with Marshal de la Ferte's Forces they meâ— a resistance they did not expect the Forces which were coming from the Arch-Duke's and Count Fuensaldagne â—s Quarter in order to succour that which Mons. de Turenne attack'd meeting them and opposing their passage with an incredible Bravery All the Baggage the Spaniards had in the Camp serv'd as a Barrier to hinder the
anew the following year to which the Governor of the Netherlands the Marquess of Ceracene and the other Generals having consented they march'd straight to that place and took it on the 22d of March Soon after it they made themselves Masters of Conde Marshal de Turenne being vex'd at the Conquests the Spaniards made resolv'd to be revenged upon Cambrai for the Losses the Frâ—nch had sustain'd To that end having placed himself one night at the Head of a small Body of Men without imparting his Design to any body he went to invest that place in which there were no Forces besides the Mortepaye and fifty Horse or thereabouts Nay moreover that which happen'd worse for the King of Spain was that the Governor and his Inhabitants did not agree The Town being invested on all sides and thâ— remainder of the French Army being come up thâ— Bridges of Communication were made and at thâ— same time all necessary things to work speedilâ— about the Lines were delivered to the Army The Prince of Conde soon received Intelligencâ— of it and knowing that there was but a very weaâ— Garrison in Cambray and that the Spanish Army was not ready to march to the relief of it he march'd thither himself with all his Horse which consisted of 18 Squadrons Being oblig'd to pass through Valenciennes as soon as he came within two or three leagues of it he went before to enquire from those who commanded in the Town whether they could give him any intelligence of the French Army They answer'd That they could not but that within 24 hours they had heard abundance of Canon shot towards Cambray I am perswaded answer'd the Prince that that Town is besiâ—ged but I will endeavour to relieve it before the Enemys have made an end of their Lines After which he desired the Governor to prepare a passage for his Forces Although those of Valenciennes were not used to suffer Forces to pass through their City yet they â—aid that they were ready to grant him a Passage if he desired to march through it The Prince accepted it and caused his Forces to march through that Cityâ— He caused those to refresh themselves that pass'd first Those being got a quarter of a league out of Town he caused the others to march a little further and those having refresh'd themselves he took those who had pass'd first and advanc'd with Five hundred Horse upon a Rising from whence he perceived the Camp and the Lines of the French Moreover he saw that they were at work Being convinc'd by his own Eyes that Mons. de Turenne had besieged Cambray he came back to his men and calling all the Officers he told them That if they tarried three days without relieving the Town the Lines the Enemies were making with all the speed imaginable would be 〈◊〉 the being forc'd That the Spanish Army was 〈◊〉 too great a distance to stay for it and that â—â—nce there was no other Remedy he was resolv'd to enter into that Town and that to that end he would march thither between seven and eight at night He had no sooner imparted his Design but he dispos'd his Horse in three Lines each of them consisting of six Squadrons He took the command of the second himself and the hour appointed to march being come Monsieur de Guitaut who commanded the first advanced with a design to force whatever should oppose him and make the least resistance but it fell out luckily for him that he â—ell into the Guard of the Regiment of Palluau who coming up to the Prince's Forces crying out Qui vive suffered them to pass believing that they answered Palluau instead of Guitaut by reason of the termination of those Names The Prince of Conde followed with the second Line and found that the Enemies had closed again yet he forced his way and passed also The last Line passed likewise and entred with the loss of some Officers after which they marched up to the Pallisade and entred the Counterscarp The French Horse were so surprized and frightned that they did not so much as offer to pursue them Insomuch that Day being come Monsieâ—r de Turenne vex'd at what had happen'd said That he would have the Army retire And accordingly order'd a Retreat to be sounded and while the Army was disposing to march he dispatch'd a Coureer to the Court to inform them that the Prince of Conde was entred in Cambray with eighteen Squadrons and that he was going to raise the Siege This place was invested about the end of May. The Cardinal finding that the Siege of Cambray had not succeeded sent Orders to Monsieur de la Ferte who had an Army towards the Frontiers of Champagne to invest Montmidi which he did and took it While Montmidi was besieged the Spaniards made an attempt upon Calis but were obliged to retire Besides Montmidi they lost St. Venant and were forced to raise the Siege of Ardres The French likewise took Bourbourg Mardik La Mothe aux-Bois and some other places The French had also resolved upon the Siege of Dunkirk the preceding year and in order thereunto had seized all the advantagious Posts that could defend the Avenues thereof to facilitate the taking of it Monsieur de Turenne blockt it up by Land on the side of the Canal which looks towards Mardyk and on the other as far as the Downs The English Army composed of eighteen or twenty Ships invested it by Sea and hindred the Entrance The Circumvallation being made they began to open the Trenches on the fifth of Iune The â—irst days the Besieged made vigorous Sallies but were always repulsed The Spaniards being sensible of the importance of that place put themselves in a posture to relieve it The Prince of Conde was already advanced but Marshal de Turenne who omitted nothing for the success of his Enterprize kept so well upon his Guard that it was impossible to surprize him The Besieged made several other Sallies in which abundance of Men and Officers were lost on both sides In the mean time Monsieur de Turenne while the Siege went on was informed That Don Iohn of Austria the Prince of Conde and the Marshal de Hoquincouâ—â— who had embraced the Spanish Party were 〈◊〉 from Ypres to Newport and were resolved to hazard all to relieve Dunkirk And accordingly News was brought the next day being the 11th that they were encamp'd in the Downs near the Abby and that they were preparing to attack the Besâ—egers Marshal d' Hoquincourt detach'd himself with threescore Horse to view the French Lines but being come too near a Redoubt where some Souldiers lay conceal'd he was wounded with five or six Musquet-shot of which he died within two hours The French perceiving that the Spaniards were resolv'd to engage them and that it was impossible to avoid it offerâ—d them Battel on the 14th Their Right-wing commanded by Monsieur de Turenne was oppos'd by the Prince of Conde
who signaliz'd himself in that Battel as he had done in others he had a Horse kill'd under him whereby he was endanger'd to fall into his Enemies Hands but the Captain of his Guards happening to be there gave him his being better pleas'd to be a Prisoner himself than to suffer that great Prince to be taken But notwithstanding all the Perils the Prince of Conde expos'd himself to and the great Actions he did the Spaniards lost the Day and the Battel was no sooner lost but the Governor of Dunkirk being discourag'd is desir'd to capitulate which he did within 5 or 6 days after it It was on the 23d of Iune The Town was deliver'd to the English The taking of Dunkirk was follow'd by that of Bergue Gravelines Oudenarde Ypres and several other places Altho' the French had had very considerable Advantages over the Spaniards yet they were desirous of a Peace The Queen who desir'd it earnestly had already dispatch'd Monsieur de Lionne into Spain to lay the Foundations of it with Don Lewis de Haro And tho' Monsieur de Lionne was incognito at Madrid yet that Minister's Negotiations succeeded according to the Queens Wishes They had agreed upon the general Articles and there was a suspension of Arms. But the King of Spain declaring that he would have the Prince of Conde compris'd in the Treaty of Peace the French Minister reply'd That he had no Orders to hearken to any such Proposition That the King his Master would be the sole disposer of the Favours he thought fit to grant that Prince without being impos'd upon in that point Whereupon the Conferences were broke off Cardinal Mazarin being sensible that that Difficulty would not easily be removed communicated it to the Pope who was Mediator between the two Crowns in order to his perswading the King of Spain that he ought to desist in what related to the Interest of the Prince of Conde but could obtain nothing Finally the Peace was concluded between France and Spain in the manner every body knows Cardinal Mazarin consented readily that the Prince should be comprised in the Treaty but he desir'd that whatever related to his being restor'd to his Dignity and Estate should be left entirely to the King's disposal Nevertheless after many Contestations the Affair was determin'd in the manner his Catholick Majesty had desir'd it that is to the Prince of Conde's advantage These are the Articles that concern'd him as they are inserted in the Treaty of Peace made in the Isle of Faisans in the year 1659. between Philip the Fourth King of Spain and Lewis the Fourteenth King of France 1. THE Prince of Conde having declar'd to Cardinal Mazarin Plenipotentiary from his Most Christian Majesty his Soveraign Lord in order to acquaint His Majesty therewith that he is extreamly troubled to have held for some years past a Conduct which has displeas'd his Majesty that he could wish it were in his power to retrieve tho' with the best part of his Blood all the Acts of Hostility he has committed both within and out of France to which he protests that his Misfortunes had engag'd him rather than any ill Intention against his Service And that if his Majesty will be so generous as to make use of his Royal Goodness towards him forgetting all what is past and receive him into favour again he will endeavour to acknowledge it to the last moment of his life by an inviolable Fidelity and to retrieve what is pass'd by an absolute submission to all his Commands And that in the mean time in Order to begin and to shew by such Effects as may be in his power with how much Passion he desires to 〈◊〉 honour'd again by his Majesty's Favour and Good-will he relinquishes whatever may relate to his Interest in the conclusion of the said Peace and desires nothing but what may proceed from the Clemency and Free-will of the said Lord King his Soveraign Lord and besides desires it may please his Majesty to dispose absolutely and according to his best liking and in what manner he shall think fit of all the Favours his Catholick Majesty shall be pleas'd to bestow upon him and has already offer'd him either in Territories and Countries or in Towns and Moneys the which he lays all at his Majesty's Feet Moreover that he is ready to disband all his Forces and to deliver up to his Majesty the Cities of Rocroy Le Chatelet and Linchamp of which his said Catholick Majesty has been pleas'd to remit the two first to him And likewise that as soon as he has obtain'd Leave he will send a person on purpose to the said Lord King to assure him more precisely of the sincerity of those Sentiments and the reality of his Submissions and to give his Mâ—jesty such an Act or Writing sign'd by â—im as his Majesty shall be pleas'd to desire for an Assurance that he renounces all Leagues Treaties and Associations whatever he may have made formerly with His Catholick Majesty And that for the future he will neither take or receive any Establishment Pension or Favour from any foreign King or Potentate And finally that as to whatever relates to his Interest in any kind whatever he submits it entirely to his Majesty's Pleasure and Disposition without the least Pretensions His Majesty being inform'd of the Premisses by his Plenipotentiary and mov'd by the Proceeding and Submission of the said Prince desires and consents that his Interests should be determin'd in this Treaty in the following manner granted and agreed on between the two Lord-Kings 2. First That the said Prince shall lay down his Arms at farthest in the space of eight weeks to reckon from the day and date of the signing of this present Treaty and shall effectually disband all his Forces both Horse and Foot French or Foreign the which compose the body of his Army in the Netherlands and that in such a manner as his Most Christian Majesty shall think fit excepting the Garrisons of Rocroy of Chatelet and Linchamp the which shall be disbanded at the time of the restitution of the said three Towns And the said Disarming and Disbanding shall be performed by the said Prince really and sincerely without Transportation Loan or Sale true or pretended to any other Princes or Potentates whatever Friends or Foes to France or their Allys 3. Secondly That the said Prince sending a person on purpose to his Majesty to confirm more particularly all the things above-mentiou'd shall deliver an Act signed by him to his said Majesty whereby he shall submit to the execution of what has been agreed upon between the two Lord-Kings in relation to his Person and Interest as well as for the Persons and Interests of those that have follow'd him In consequence of which he shall declare that he departs sincerely and renounces bona fidae to all Leagues Intelligences and Treaties of Association or Protection he may have made and contracted with his Catholick Majesty or
Battle The Prince of Conde who did not love him replied in a disdainful manner That he did not ask his Advice To which he added That he had never been deceiv'd in his Opinion of him which was that he was much fitter to advise and reason than to fight These Words stung this Officer to the quick who certainly was very brave He march'd away that very moment without a Reply and pass'd a Defily in order to charge the Prince of Orange's Horse which stood in Battalia and executed the Prince of Conde's Orders but he lost his Life by it as well as most the Officers that follow'd him He liv'd but one Hour after it and a Moment before he died he declar'd That he did not regret his Life since he died for the Service of his Prince but that he should have been very glad to live a few Hours longer to see what would become of the Prince of Conde 's Undertaking or rather to see him perish In the mean time the Prince of Orange was marching to the Relief of the Spaniards and of the Squadrons he had detach'd but he found himself immediately hem'd in by the Run-aways whom he could never stop either by Words Blows Promises or Reproaches The Germans being inform'd of what pass'd came in time to reinforce the Dutch at which time the Battle engag'd and began with great fury on both sides The Prince of Conde having occasion'd the loss of many brave Men was animated to that degree that he exposed himself like the meanest Sâ—â—ldiers The Dutch made a very brave resistance But the Prince of Orange perceiving that he was in danger of losing his Post made three Battallions advance to sustain those that were Before he could post them his Men being press'd by the Prince of Conde retir'd to Fay a Village that stood close by them fortify'd with a Castle and a Church and surrounded with Hedges The Prince of Conde who had no longer any regard for his Men without minding the Losses he had sustain'd in the two preceding Actions order'd Foâ—ces to march that way and having met the three Battalions we have mention'd that had not yet joyn'd the others he put them to flight The next thing was to force the Prince of Orange out of Fay but that did not prove easieâ— that Prince who gave so many proofs of Bravery and Prudence in that occasion being cover'd on oâ—e side by a Marsh and on the other by a Wood which he had lin'd with Infantry But as nothing appear'd impossible to the Prince of Conde hâ— sent the Duke of Luxemburg towards the Wood while he undertook to force the Village with his bâ—st Forces but he met with a brave Resistance oâ— all sides The Duke of Luxemburg was forc'd to retire with the loss of his best Officers and Souldiers and the reason why the Prince did not do the same was that he was resolv'd to overcome at any rate to make Attonement for the loss of so many brave Men he had expos'd without any necessity The remainder of the Officers seeing the first Prince of the Blood expos'd to the utmost Pâ—rils resolv'd to share them with him Never did People expose themselves with more fury noâ— ever was a braver Resistance made The â—â—ench being repuls'd every where made new Efforâ—s 〈◊〉 drove two Battallions of Infantry into a 〈◊〉 which they had posted themselves and charg'd through the Squadrons that sustain'd them but they lost so many Men in that Action that they had no reason to boast of the Advantages they had obtain This dreadful Combat lasted eight Hours by Day-light and two Hours by the Light of the Moon which did set to the extream Grief of the two Generals The Prince of Orange while this Action lasted gave all necessary Orders with an admirable Prudence He neglected no Advantage he could improve and charg'd the French several times at the Head of his Squadrons with that Bravery and Courage he has demonstrated in so many occasions He oppos'd his own Men that were defeated and feâ—â— upon him as well as his Enemies who pursu'd their Victory with great vigour and remain'd engag'd for above six Hours during the greatest heat of the Combat until he was forc'd away by the Runaways He rally'd them several times and charg'd with them afresh In fine he expos'd himself as well as the Prince of Conde to more dangers than the meanest Souldier insomuch that Count de Souches in one of his Letters to the States-General upon that Subject declar'd That during all the time of the Combat that Prince had shown the Conduct of an old General and the Valour of a Caesar â— His Allies and Friends in giving him the Praises and Glory he deserv'd did no more than his very Enemies allow'd They said that the Prince of Conde had multiply'd himself during the Combat and that he had met the Prince of Orange every where But the greatest Testimony he receiv'd of it and that which was most glorious was that which the Prince of Conde gave himself who speaking of that great Monarch said That he had behav'd himself in every thing like an old Captain excepting only his exposinâ— himself to too many dangers wherein he had 〈◊〉 like a young man Nevertheless the Prince of Conde as old as he wasâ— had committed the same fault For as we have already noted he expos'd himself that day as much as the youngest man in the Army when he perceiv'd that the Battel grew bloody and that all was at stake so uncertain the Success did appear The Combat was obstinate on both sides and the two Generals expos'd themselves to that degree that it was evident they had much rather dye than lose the Battel The number of the two Armies being pretty equal at the beginning of the Battel it was computed that the number of the Slain proved also partly equal on both sides and that about 15 or 16000 men had been killed but the French lost more Officers than the Confederates Night having parted the two Armies rather 〈◊〉 the Weariness or Weakness of the Combatâ—â—â—â—â—s the French retir'd to their Camp and two â—â—urs after the Prince of Orange repaird to that which he had design'd for his Army the day beâ—â—reâ— The Confederates pretended the Victoryâ— becauâ—e they remain'd Masters of the Field of Battel and theâ— French challeng'd it by reason that they took a greater number of Prisoners and Standards But without deciding who had the Honour of the Day we may say that the Prince of Orange goâ— a great Victory in not being vanquish'd by the Prince of Conde and the Prince of Conde's Glory 〈◊〉 as greatâ— in not being oveâ—come by the Prince oâ— Orâ—nge After the two Armies had refresh'd themselves and had repair'd as much as they could the Damages they had sustain'd in that bloody Battel they â—â—arched into the Field again and kept the World in expâ—â—tation of a second Engagement before the end of the Campaign The Prince
of Orange used his utmost Endeavours in order thereunto but the Prince of Conde chose such advantagious Posts and retrenched himself so well that it was impossible to force him without disadvantage He contented himself with observing the motion of the Enemies and with preserving the Conquests France had mâ—de and to hinder the Confederate Army from entring into France which was the Design the Confederates had projected The Prince of Orange finding that it was impossible to come to any Action with the Prince of Conde who kept upon the defensive laid Siege before Oudenarde in the Month of September whereby he obtain'd his End which was to draw the French out of their Retrenchments Accordingly the Prince of Conde having received a Supply of Forces which Marshal â— ' Humierâ— was to bring him he set immediately forward to attempt the relief of that placeâ— As soon as the French Army appeared the Prince of Orange assembled a Council of War in which he propos'd to march out of the Lines in order to attack the Prince of Conde before his Forces could be refresh'd which was very well projected The Spaniards were of the same opinion but Count de Souches refus'd flatly to consent to it whereby that occasion was lost besides it created such Differences among the general Officers that the Germans quitted the Trenches the next day and posted themselves a league from thence whereby the French got an opportunity to send whatever supply they pleas'd into the Town This oblig'd the Prince of Orange to raise the Siege Whereupon a French Officer telling the Prince of Conde that that Prince was unhappy he reply'd That he was unhappy as he was brave and that in time that Geneâ—â—l would prove as formidable to France as his Forefathers had proved to Spain The following Campaign the King of France took the Castle of Dâ—nant and besieg'd Huy which he took about the beginning of Iune and the 9th of the said Month he invested Limbourg the thirteenth the Lines of Circumvallation were begun The Prince of Conde and the Duke â— ' Enguien arrived in the Camp the same day with eight Squadrons of Horse and the following day the Marshal of Creque repair'd thither also with 3000 Horse The Trenches were open'd the same day The Prince of Orange prepared for the relief of this place but it surrender'd without making any resistance before that Prince arriv'd The French Army had fatigu'd too much to acâ—â—pt any thing else besides the time of the Campaign of Germany approaching there was a necessity of sending Forces to Monsieur de Turenne who was in great want of it To that end a Detachment was made and sent to him and there bâ—ing nothing more to be done in Flanders the King retir'd to Versailles and left the command of 〈◊〉 Army to the Prince of Conde The Detachment that was sent in Germany turn'd the Scale 〈◊〉 wherâ—as the Prince of Orange was upon the deâ—â—â—sive before the Prince of Conde was obliged to do it in his turn and was put to a great loss However the Confederates attempting nothing 〈◊〉 Campaign ended without any considerable Archievements on either side While the Armies were without Action in Flanders all things were disposâ—d to fight briskly in Germany and the Vice-Comte of Turenne was killed at the Eve of the Battel he designed to fight against â—he Imperialists on the 27th of Iuly The Prince of Conde received an Order to command in Germany after the death of that General He left Flanders on the 10th of August and left the command of the Army to the Duke of Luxemburg The Imperialists had besieged Haguenau on the 20th of the same Month The Prince of Conde at that â—ime joyned the Frâ—nch Army that was encamped near Sâ—edstadt with a Supply of 15000 men and being informed of the Siege Montecuculy had made he marched away immediately with the Forces he had brought along with him and went towards â—enfeldon and Erstein in order to go near the River Prentâ—â— to encamp on the 22th at Holsheim reporting that he designed to attack the Imperialists or cut off their Communication with Strasbourg Montecuculy having notice of his march went away the same day from Hagueâ—aâ— in order to offer the Prince Battel and left 4000 men before the Place The next day he arrived at Gartnervelt where the Forces he had left before Hâ—guenau came to joyn him and he drew so near the Prince of Conde that there was nothing but the River between the two Armies but there fell so much Rain about that time that neither of the Generals durst undertake any thing The Imperialists only took some Prisoners among whom was the Prince of Conde's Steward They likewise cut over a Bridge at Howart near Stratsburg in order to attack the French Army Whereas that City had favoured the Designs of Montecuculy in the Siege of Haguâ—nau which he was oblig'd to raise the Magistrates were no sooner inform'd of the arrival of the Prince of Conde but they sent Deputies to him to excuse what they had done but they did not receive an Answer suitable to their Desires The Prince of Conde made answer to them That after having dispatch'd what was most in haste he would visit them if the King would believe him That quick haughty Answer alarm'd that City which was not unacquainted with the Reputation and Humour of that Prince they had already made tryal of what he was capable of doing for at the beginning of the War Ricousse one of the Officers of his Houshold had made an Attempt upon the Bridge of Stratsburg upon less provocation the which had been contriv'd in his Closet But let us return to Montecuculy He was no sooner come near the Post where the Prince of Conde was retrench'd but that Prince fir'd two Pieces of Ordinance to offer him the Combat The Armies were very equal in strâ—ngth But the Emperors General dreading the first fire of the â—â—ench and the Reputation of a Princeâ— who pass'd for the best Captain of the Age he â—ived in would haâ—ard nothing and retired under the Canon of Strâ—tâ—burg Nevertheless he caused all the Equipage to be placed upon the side of the Ditch of that City in order not to be incommoded thereby in case the Prince of Conde should attack him but that Prince did not intend to attack him in that Post. He retired towards the Mountains and from thence to Chatenois where there was abundance of Forrage Montâ—cuculy went to encamp at Obernâ—eim where he received a considerable Supply of Horse and Foot The Prince of Conde having notice of it â—earing that General might come to attack him â—ortified his Camp with a surprizing diligence and having soon after received a Reinforcement of 2000 Horse and some Foot he thought himself secure He had had a mind to quit the Post in which he was retrenched but whereas it shut up the Passages into Lorrain upon which the Imperialists had some designs he
Sentence of Death he had pronounc'd at Toulouse against the Duke of Montmorancy and that it was sufficiently known that the second was not well inclin'd towards him of lateâ— This perhaps was the justest subject of Anger and Indignation the Prince had yet met with But whatever Complaints he could make to the Court about it they being perswaded that he had been engag'd with the Spaniards to wage a War against the King they were only look'd upon as affected Complaints and Desires by which he only propos'd a fair pretence to retire In the mean time the King's Majority was at hand this was the fourth of September and the Ceremony thereof was to be perform'd on the seventh This troubled and disquieted the Prince of Conde He was sensible that this Majority was going to render the King's Authority Absolute and that the King being at Age there would be no longer any Safety for him in Paris He also remembred that it was no Novelty to see those kind of Publick Festivals and Solemnities â—ully'd by the most bloody and most daring Actions But at the same â—ime he consider'd that he could not absent himself from so Great and so August a Ceremony without despising too publickly the Rank he was to have in it and without confirming and augmenting those very Suspicions that had been conceiv'd against him Therefore there was a necessity at least to find out an apparent Pretence to colour his Absence To that end he made use of one Prioly a Venetian Gentleman to let the Queen understand that he had Business of great Moment to regulate with the Duke of Longueville and that it concern'd the Publick to have it terminated as soon as could be This Gentleman was secretly a Friend to the Cardinal and a Pensionary to the Court He had insinuated himself into the Queen's Favour by his Wit and by several Services he had rendred her on sundry Occasions as well as to the Cardinal And therefore it was not difficult for him to perswade Her Majesty to give her Consent to the Interview the Prince desir'd with the Duke of Longueville who only consented to it upon the secret assurance he receiv'd in Writing from Prioly that thereby he would render an acceptable Service to His Majesty Whereupon the Rendezvous was immediately appointed at Trie The Prince of Conde's Design was not only to have an Occasion to absent himself from the Ceremony of the Majority but also to endeavour to draw the Duke of Longueville in his Party and by his means to make all Normandy rise in his favour thereby to give his Party the more Weight and Reputation especially among strangers That Duke who had only endeavour'd to avoid that Interview out of fear of so dangerous an Engagement was resolv'd not to hearken to the Prince's Propositions and moreover to disuade him from it as much as possible he could And whereas Prioly in whom both did confide only design'd to fortifie the Duke in his Resolution in order to discover the better by his resistance the real Designs and all the Intrigues of the Prince the Queen thereby had the Satisfaction to see that the Prince's Cunning and Industry were employ'd to deceive himself The Prince of Conde repair'd to the Duke of Longueville at Trie on the appointed day But before his departure he left a Letter with the Prince of Conty for the King wherein he acquainted His Majesty with the Reasons that hindred him from attending him on the Day of his Majority and promis'd him an inviolable Loyalty The Day the Ceremony was perform'd a little before the King and Court set â—oâ—ward towards the Palais the Prince of Conty presented his Brother's Letter to the King The King receiv'd that Letter with a cold negligent Air without saying any thing and hardly open'd it half without looking upon the Contents While the Prince endeavour'd at Trie to engage the Duke of Longueville in his Party the Duke de la Rochefoucault labouâ—'d at Paris to draw the Duke of Bouillon the Marshal of Turenne the Prince of Tarente and the Marquess de la Force into the same Party In order to conclude with the Duke of Bouillon who offer'd to declare for the Prince and to prevail with his Brother the Marshal and the others above nam'd to embrace the same Interests The Duke de la Rochefoucault in the Prince's Name promis'd him the following Conditions 1. To give him Stenay with the demeans thereof which he should enjoy with the same Rights and Priviledges the Prince did until he had caus'd Sedan to be restor'd to him or else had put him in possession of the Recompence the Court had promis'd him in exchange for that place 2. To yield his Pretensions to him upon the Dutchy of Albret 3. To cause him to be receiv'd into Bellegarde with the Command of that place and to make no Treaty without causing the Article about the Rank of his House to be compris'd in it 4. To furnish him a Sum of Money they should agree upon to raise Forces in order to make War The Duke de la Rochefoucault propos'd besides to send the Marshal of Turenne to Stenay to Clermont and Danvilliers there to Command the Prince's Old Troops which were to retire there the which being joyn'd to those the Spaniards were to send thither from Flanders Moâ—ieur de Turenne should possess the same Post which Madame de Longueville and he held while the Princes were in Prison he was moreover order'd by the Prince to tell him next that he design'd to leave the Prince of Conty Madame de Longueville and Monsieur de Nemours at Bourges and Montrond there to raise Men and make themselves Masters of Berri of the Bourbonnois and part of Auvergne while the Prince should go to Bourdeaux where he was call'd by the Parliament and by the People and where the Spaniards woâ—ld furnish him with Forces Money and Ships according to the Treaty the Marquess of Sillery had made with the Count of Fuensaldaigne to facilitate the Rising of the Forces he design'd to raise in Guienne That the Count of Doignon entred into his Party to which he joyn'd the Cities of Brouage Râ— Oleron and Rochel That the Duke of Richelieu would raise Men in Saintonge and in the Country of Aunis The Marquess de la Force in Guienne The Duke de la Rochefoucault in Poitou and Angoumois The Marquess of Montespan in Gascony Monsieur d' Arpagon in Rouergue and that Monsieur de Marsin who commanded the Army in Catalonia would be grateful So many fair Prospects fortify'd the Duke of Bouillon in his Design of Engaging with the Prince for which he engag'd his Word to the Duke de la Rochfoucault on the aforesaid Conditions As for Monsieur de Longueville the Prince could not engage him so far nor obtain any positive Promise from him whether it were that he was unresolv'd or unwilling to enter into a Party he
them with three Gentlemen and they arriv'd together at Chastillon without any danger The Prince of Conde receiv'd Tidings there of the Army he was going to joyn and was inform'd that it lay towards Lory near the Forest of Orleance within Eight Leagues of Chastillon he heard moreover that Ten or Twelve Chevaux-Legers of the King's Guard together with some Officers were at that time at Chastillon whereupon he resolv'd to remove from thence about Midnight with speed with a Guide for Lory This Guide had like to have occasion'd his Ruin for after a long March he found that he was but within a short League of Gien in so much that going about to quit that Road to tuâ—n towards Lory the Prince pass'd within Thirty Yards of the place where St. Maure lay in wait for him But whether he did not know him or durst not Charge him nothing oppos'd his Passage and he arriv'd at Lory where he heard certain News of his Army which was but two Leagues distant from them Althoâ— he conceal'd himself with the same precautions he had us'd elsewhere both he and the Duke de la Rochefoucaulâ— were discover'd by several Inhabitants of the place of which many were the King 's and the Duke of Orleance's Servants But this prov'd an Advantage instead of a Prejudice to him for some of them got on Horse-back with him and accompany'd him to the Army He met the Vanguard at the entrance of the Forest of Orleance some Troopers coming up to him and he having discover'd himself to them the whole Army was surpriz'd with an excess of Joy that cannot be express'd His Presence had never been so necessary as it was at that time and had never been less expected The Animosity between the Dukes of Nemours and Beaufort daily increas'd and thereby the sole Prop of the Party daily perish'd through the Division of the Chiefs at a time when the Presence of the King and his Army should have oblig'd them most to prefer the Publick Good to their particular Quarrels The Prince was too much concern'd to put an end to those Differences not to endeavour it with all the earnestness imaginable which he effected the more easily by reason that his Arrival taking the Command from them at the same time it remov'd the main cause of their Jealousie and Hatred Affairs standing in this Condition the Army march'd to Lory where they rested a day three or four days more were employ'd in going to Montargis which surrender'd without any Resistance The Army soon quitted that place by reason that it was stor'd with Corn and Wine which might be of use upon occasion as also to shâ—w an Example of Mildness which might prove advantageous to his Party in the other Cities The Army march'd from Montargis and went to Chateau-renard Gourville arriv'd there at the same time from Paris to give the Prince an account of his Friends Sâ—ntiments about his Conduct towards Monsieur and towards the Parliament Their Advices prov'd very different for some counsel'd him to remain with the Army by reason that the Resoâ—â—â—ions of the Duke of Orleance and of the Parliament would always depend on the Event of that War and that while he should be at the Head of a Victorious Army the Kingâ—s Power would reside in his hands Whereas in going to Paris he took away from his Forces the Reputation which his Presence had given them since he was necessitated to leave the Command thereof to the same Persons whose Division and Incapacity had been like to produce such great Disorders Chavigny on the contrary assur'd the Prince that his Presence was absolutely necessary in Paris That the Cabals of â—he Court and of the Cardinal of Rets daily increas'd in the Parliament and that finally they would infallibly engage the Duke of Orleance on their side unless the Prince came in Person to free him from his dependency on them and to put the Duke of Rohan and Chavigny in possession of a place they could no longer dispute with the Cardinal of Râ—ts without him They all in general agreed preferably to all other things to undertake some considerable Action against the King's Army all depending on a Successful Event At that very time the Prince of Conde receiv'd Intelligence that the Marshal of Hoquincourt's Brigade lay still in separate Quarters pretty near Chateauâ—Renard and that the next day it was to joyn again with Marshal de Turenne's Whereupon he resolv'd immediately to March up with all his Army to Marshal d' Hoquincourt's before he could have time to assemble his Forces to retire towards Marshal de Turenne and the Success answeâ—'d his Expectation He entred first into two Quarters which alarm'd the rest bâ—t that did not hinder him from taking five of them one after another The four first hardly made any resistance but the Mâ—rshal d' Hoquincourt having plac'd himself in Battalia with 800 Horse upon the border of a Brook which could only be cross'd one Man of a Breast upon a very narrow decay'd Bank seem'd resolv'd to dispuâ—e that Passage yet noâ—withstanding the Duke of Nemours had no sooner past this Defile with three or four Men but the Marshal who judg'd that all the Army was there retir'd behind that Quarter and suffer'd it to be pillag'd placing himself in Battle again in hopâ—s of an Opportunity to Charge them during the Plâ—nder This Quarter made no more Resistance than the others but whereas those Houses were cover'd with Thatch they being set on fire the Marshal d' Hoquincourt soon discover'd by that Light the Number of the Forces that were past and finding that there was not above One Hundred Horse he advanc'd to Charge them with above 800. The Pâ—ince of Conde observing this Cavalry that was falling upon him strait form'd a Squadron of what Men he had about him and march'd up to his Eâ—emy with so unequal a Number that iâ— seem'd as if Chance had assembled all the General Officers of his Army in that place to make him sâ—nsible what a Loss he might have sustain'd by an ill Event The fiâ—st Rank in which he fought himself was compos'd of the Dukes of Nemours of Beaufort and de la Rochefoucault the Prince of Marsillac the Marquess of Clinchant who commanded the Spanish Forces Count Tavannes Lieutenant-General of Guitault Gaucourt and some other Officers Both the Squadrons fir'd at a small distance and yet neither of them gave ground but two others having soon after charg'd the Prince's the Duke of Nemours was shot through the Body with a Pistol and his Horse kill'd under him The Prince of Conde's Squadron not being able to sustain two Charges so close to one another â—etird an Hundred steps in disorder towards the Quarter that was on fire but the Prince and the General Oflicers who were with him riding up to the said Squadron stopt it The Enemies contented themselves with having 〈◊〉 it give ground without breaking it Some Officers and a few Troopers only